Devotional - week of April 7, 2013
WALKING IN NEWNESS OF LIFE
Even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans
6:4b
This
statement follows the revelation that believers have been spiritually crucified
and buried. It is followed by the statement that believers also have been
spiritually resurrected. The word “also” means that as Jesus is living in
newness of life because He has been crucified, buried and resurrected, so should
all of God’s children.
Consider the things that Isaiah 53 prophesied about Jesus. In His childhood and
youth years, He was unnoticed, unattractive and rejected. As an adult He was
despised, rejected, not respected, a man of grief and then crucified as a
criminal.
Now Jesus is accepted, honored and praised all over the earth. He is filled
with joy when a person on earth receives Him as Lord and Savior.
How has your crucifixion, burial and resurrected enabled you to walk in newness
of life? There is not enough space here to begin to answer this question, but we
can mention a few changes that are now available to us.
When we experience our oneness with Christ, we can have victory over sin on a
continuous basis (Romans 6:11). We can become people of godly character. “The
fruit of the Spirit is, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control ….” (Galatians 5:22-23a). Look at each
word of this passage. These are characteristics that all believers should love
to possess.
We will have an impact on the lives of others as God uses our bodies as His
instruments to bless others (Romans 6:13c). We will continually prepare for the
day of God’s judgment of our works (2 Corinthians 5:10).