NEW INSIDE!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new’. “2 Corinthians 5:17”

Your new spirit is living in an old body. Have you ever considered the fact that when you answered the Lord’s call and received the new life in Christ, you felt that freshness at the altar? You may have wept for joy as you began to experience the peace that only the Holy Spirit can give. Then, you wanted to hug everyone and tell everyone. You wanted the world to know! Everything was new, or not exactly new…..

You see, when you got home and looked into the mirror, your face was still the same. Your head was still bald and your ears did not grow smaller. You had experienced a change but you still looked the same. Indeed, your friends did not change until you changed your choices. Some thoughts you used to have still hounded your mind. You began to wonder if you are really saved or if what you got was fake. You have to realize that though your spirit has been renewed but your mind needs to be renewed.

Really, your mind needs continual renewal.

The Bible says in Romans 12:12

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

The system of this world has a mould. The mould is used to make people conform to certain norms and lifestyles that have become accepted and politically correct. If you are going to experience externally the new life you have received internally, you must be deliberate about renewing your mind.

As it is, there is a way the world expects you to run your relationship and marriage, there is a way the world expects you to run your business. Indeed, the system of this world has a way of culturing the minds of people to accept as normal the very things they used to abhor. The system of this world is mutually exclusive of and diametrically opposed to the word of God.

When God’s word speaks faith, the world speaks fear. When God’s Word speaks prosperity, the world speaks poverty. When God’s word speaks peace, the world speaks wars and conflict. When God’s word speaks love and forgiveness, the world speaks hate and division.

The life you have inside of you will not be fully expressed if your mind is not educated in the ways of the spirit. The life you have inside of you will not be fully expressed if your spirit is not fed with the things of the spirit.

“Desire God’s pure word as newborn babies desire milk. Then you will grow in your salvation.” 1 Peter 2:2

When you understand this, you will not let conflicts on the outside infect the reality inside. You will not judge other Christians and say they are fake Christians. In reality, the phrase “Fake Christian” is a misnomer. A Christian cannot be fake. You are either a Christian or you are not. There is no in-between. However, there are Christians who have not grown since they got saved. There are Christians who have not grown as they should as they are stuck on milk when they should be taking meat. These Christians have not grasped the deep things of God’s kingdom. These people are not able to fully express the power they have inside and they are prone to making others stumble. On the other hand, there are also Christians who are working out their salvation and feeding on the word. They are growing in the word even if they stumble once in a while. Their stumble does not invalidate their faith.

As your Pastor, I admonish you to take a hard look at your life and appraise yourself. What have you done with the salvation you have received? Have you grown? Are you a pillar in God’s kingdom? Are you adding to the kingdom? It does not matter the state you find yourself, what matters is whether or not you have made the decision to be true to the life you have inside. What matters is that you choose to make the power of the Holy Spirit in you count.

You are a new creature. Educate your mind about the new creation realities. Confess the word about your new life. Speak it everywhere you go. Don’t let the mistakes of your past nullify the newness within.

You will have help. You will do well.

Author:

Rev. Biodun Fatoyinbo

Snr Pastor of: Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA)