Water Of the Word [WOW] #080 Newsletter

Presented by Free Bible Study Lessons

MESSAGE - A New Creature - Really?

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Cor. 5:17

Have you ever wondered about being a new creature in Christ? What does that really mean? If we are a new creature and all things are new, why do we still feel the same old way? Why are the old temptations still so strong? Why doesn't being new in Christ seem to have much effect on our current life?

The Bible is true. If it states we are a new creation [and it does!] then it must be so. After you read that last sentence satan will likely place the thought in your mind: "Then I guess I am not a real Christian because I still think in the old way." Remember, he is the father of lies.

To understand the above scripture, we must understand what happened at salvation. Before we accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour we were zombies. Our mind and our bodies were alive but our spirit was dead [see What Is Death]. We walked though life separated from God, the Source of Life. We were not alive in a complete sense. We were the living dead.

What happens when we accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour? We are born again. Our spirit is united to God's Spirit. We are truly and completely alive for the first time. We can come into the presence of God freely. We are "in" Christ which means that God sees and accepts us as if we were Christ Himself. No longer do we have to be embarrassed or afraid of the presence of God. We can enjoy Him forever.

The above being true, why do we still have the old sinful thoughts and actions? Why are temptations so strong? Why does it seem like the old nature is still alive and well?

The answer is that our spirit has been born again, but our body and our mind were already alive. They were not born again, although some people do experience instant healing or deliverance. God has commanded us to retrain our mind on how to think. When we were zombies we could only think the world's thoughts. We developed deep patterns in our minds which in turn instructed our bodies how to act. Now we have a choice. We can choose to follow the old way - which is the way we have trained ourselves to act so it is the easiest path to follow - or we can choose to train our mind to think God's thoughts and follow His commands. Our body is a servant. It will follow whatever way we choose to think.

We ARE a new creature in Christ. That is fact. However, if we do not renew our minds and make conscious, daily choices to follow God we will still live like a zombie.

Our body reacts to the outside world the way we have trained it. If we have trained it to response in lust to certain sights, then it will take a constant purifying of our mind to retrain it. If we have trained it to act in fear when certain events happen [or we thinking they are going to happen], then it will take retraining to remove the fear. This is a step-by-step lifetime project. Each wrong thought and response is a stronghold that must be captured. Some are stronger than others, but all must fall before the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. It takes faith and obedience applied through the power of the Holy Spirit, but the victory is already yours if you will renew your mind in the ways of God.

Forward this newsletter...

Let me know what you think at: www.free-bible-study-lessons.com/newsletter-comments.html.

SPECIAL DISCOUNT

BOOK REVIEW

Corrie Ten Boom's book, Tramp For The Lord, is a classic. Many of you may have read The Hiding Place which is the true story of Corrie Ten Boom's experiences in hiding Jews from the Nazis. Tamp For The Lord picks up where The Hiding Place leaves off. If follows Corrie Ten Boom's experiences after World War II. It is a heart-warming, challenging look at her ministry as she travelled around the world. It was not an easy life for a lady in her 70's and 80's. Your faith will be strengthened as you travel with Corrie. You will see a true servant of the Lord, but you will also see the weakness, tiredness, and the longing to just "settle down." You can add a used copy of Tramp For The Lord to your library for only $1.00 plus shipping [last I checked].

WEBSITE PICK

Christians are a generous people. We love to help others, but we are also responsible to make sure our gifts are used as we have been told that they would be used. There is a great website you can use to check out various ministries to see if they have a reputation for financial responsibility. The website is ministrywatch.com. Check out a ministry before you give money.

PERSONAL BLOG

Recently I ran across an advertisement in a Christian Magazine for the Christians United For Israel 2008 Summit in July. It made this statement: The enemies of Israel are the enemies of America and Canada. They are the enemies of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These enemies have drawn the battle line. If a line has to be drawn... then draw that line around both Christians and Jews... WE ARE ONE... WE ARE UNITED." [emphasis in the original] There are several well-known pastors, an ambassador, and 2 senators listed among the speakers.

Are modern, non-Christian Jews and Christians really one? This would mean that Christ has two bodies! Where in the Bible does it teach the Christians and non-Christians - of any national origin - are one? Can the Holy Spirit living in Christians be made one with the spirit of the world living in non-Christians? Why are the enemies of modern Israel automatically the enemies of America and Canada? Has Christianity been reduced to a matter of nationality?

What harm do these kind of statements do to Christian brothers and sisters in other Middle Eastern countries? After all, there are Christians in Iran, Syria, etc. Do they come under increased persecution because of these type of remarks? Are souls in Hell today because Christianity is seen as a western, pro-Israel [no matter what they do] religion? In my opinion, this idea is manipulating Christians with false Scripture applications and sensationalism to push a political agenda which is harmful the overall Kingdom of God.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Joshua Club is no longer open to new members.

The "Wisdom" page has a new article: Comfort For Persecuted Christians Facing Death

God bless you,
Glenn Davis
Free Bible Study Lessons

Joshua Club

PS. You may forward this newsletter to any of your friends you think might be interested as long as you don’t s p a m.