By Denise Chaffin

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

When one is baptized into Christ, the old life passes away. We have a whole new perspective on life. It is not I, but Christ who becomes important. It’s not what I want, but what Christ wants from me.

There was a popular saying some years back, ‘What would Jesus do?’ The saying may actually have originated years before in a book where a fictional preacher challenged his flock to begin their new year by asking that question before they made any major decisions. I don’t remember much of the story. But it seems to me that this is not just a fictional question. If we are indeed “new in Christ” our old way of looking at things will cease. That old way of thinking, the old way of doing things ‘my way’ is done. I’m a new creation.

Romans 12:1-2 is a challenge we must take seriously as disciples of Christ:

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 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 idea of sacrificing what I want for what anyone else wants is foreign to our human nature. But that is exactly what God wants from his children. Do not be discouraged if you find this a struggle. I do not think those of the 21^st century are alone in that struggle. Matthew 16:24 reads:

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

He was still with His disciples and they struggled with understanding His will. But Christ understands and gives us the grace and power to do what is needed. He never asks anything of us that He has not provided the way to accomplish the task. It reads in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6:

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”

Some day you will look back on life and see that Christ did indeed give you the tools to overcome. They are contained in putting away the old way of looking at the world and looking to God and His word for a new way. (Colossians 1:27) Let his power work in you to be that new person created in the image of our Savior!