Today is the first day of spring. This beautiful season of blooming
flowers and such always reminds me of new life.
God’s beautiful creation seems to become vibrant with colors and comes
to life this time of year. Springtime
always means Easter is right around the corner.
Unfortunately, the true meaning of Easter seems to always be dampened
with bunnies and eggs. Before you get
disgusted and call me a prude, my kids will be hiding and/or hunting eggs along
with many others. It is so much fun for them
and us too!
New life. So how do
you make a life that already exists a new life? What exactly does that mean? If a life is made new … there had to be death
of the old life. So, without death,
there is no life.
If we are still here on this earth and get to experience a new
life, our old self has to die. We become
a new person.
Even if we, or a loved one, experiences death then we still
experience a new, eternal life in heaven.
But how? How is all
of this possible? What has to be done? What has to be said? Nothing and nothing. It is strictly if we believe. Being a Christian, a Christ follower, is hard
for non-believers to understand because it is based on faith. Nothing that can be seen or touched… simply a
belief. Yet so difficult…faith
alone.
Many years ago, a baby was born in a stable. This baby was no ordinary baby. This baby was born of a virgin. This baby grew up and lived on this earth and
experienced life much like we do today….(well sort of, minus the Lady Gaga’s
and such). He performed many miracles
and served others. He taught that love was and still is the greatest
commandment. He lived life and never sinned. He loved the people of this world so much-
sinners, you and me, that he gave his life for us. He died for us. He experienced a cruel death by being nailed
to a cross. The story doesn’t end
there- Praise the Lord! Three days later, he rose from
the grave.
This is the gospel story…Christ’s birth, death, and
resurrection. This is the death that
gives new life. A life that allows us to
travel around each and every day with His Spirit in us guiding us. His Spirit in us makes us different from the
world. We choose differently because we
are Spirit filled. Our lives begin to look different because we become
reflections of Him. Are we perfect? No…we
simply have forgiveness and hope when we screw it all up. Sure, sometimes that Spirit gets squashed and
our flesh overtakes us because we are sinners.
But because of a death on a cross, we are forgiven. We are made new. We get a do over… IF we believe. Who in this life doesn’t need
another chance?
Do you believe?
Romans 10:9
If
you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that
God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if
anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is
here!
