New Identity

Everybody likes to have things that are new. New car, boat, appliances, clothes and so on and so forth. But I want to talk to you about the best thing new that I have ever had, and that's a new life. The Bible has much to say about a new life or new identity. I am not the same person I was years ago because I have a new identity. I have noticed that many want a new life or a new identity but they want to do little or nothing to receive it. When two people unite in marriage they become "one flesh." Each person takes on a New Identity. The man becomes a "husband," and the woman becomes a "wife." So it is when we are united to Christ we receive a New Identity. Did you notice I said receive Webster says that word means- To take, as a thing offered or sent; to accept. He had the offer of a donation, but he would not receive it. The Bible teaches us that Christ died so we could be forgiven of all our wrongs. That is wonderful, but many will not receive what has already been done for them. They continue to live in the life style that causes them harm and shame. Why, could it be unbelief? Sure it could but I think most people are looking for a quick fix and I don't really know of a quick fix. When a person asks Christ to come into their life and forgive them of all their sins He does. Unfortunately the old man doesn't just die and go away; I wish it did. Now you have something you didn't before and that is Christ living in you. Wait, for the last 20, 30, 40, 50 or so years you have been doing what you wanted to do and the Bible tells us some of the things we have had contact with. Adultery: sex outside of marriage, Fornication: sex before marriage, Uncleanness: sexual deviance, Lasciviousness: sexual excess, Idolatry: valuing something more than you value your relationship with God, Witchcraft: sorcery; being under the influence of demonic forces, Hatred: having a great dislike for another, Variance: argumentative, Emulation: an unhealthy desire for superiority, Wrath: revengeful feelings of getting even, Strife: spreading angry contentions, Sedition: raising commotion,

Heresies: errors in the fundamentals of religion, Envying: a general uneasiness with the happiness of others, Murders: premeditated killing of another human, Drunkenness: to be habitually overpowered with intoxication form alcohol, Reveling: uncontrolled feasting and carousing in a party-like atmosphere. You will find all those things listed in I Corinthians 6:9-10 but it's the next verse that excites me. Look at what this verse says 1Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Wow! That tells me, that's what some of us used to be. How then did they become different or new? They were "washed- Cleansed; purified,
"Sanctified"- Made holy; consecrated; set apart "justified" in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. "That word Justified means- He who pardons and releases from guilt and punishment. Anyone can be made free from what they are by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ. You can be cleansed, set apart and pardon and released from your guilt and punishment. It's not what I do, it's what He can and will do if I let Him. It's not God's will that any should perish, but all come to repentance. That word "repentance" means. Sorrow for anything done or said; the pain or grief which a person experiences in consequence of the injury or inconvenience produced by his own conduct. Repentance is a change of mind, or a conversion from sin to God. Well, are you happy with where you are at? If not why not just repent and become one of which the Bible says and such were some of you. Aren't you glad that God let you live long enough to see another Monday?