NEW LIFE IN CHRIST
- Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran
In the New Testament of the Bible, we read about Saul who was later called as Paul. He was a Jew and a student of Gamaliel. He was a very influential and a well-learned man of his times (Acts 22:3). He had threatening and murderous desire against the disciples of Lord Jesus Christ. He burned with rage to kill people who had accepted Jesus Christ. So, he dragged out men and women who had accepted Christ and put them in prison and tortured them.
When on his way to Damascus to bring men and women bound in chains to Jerusalem, a light from heaven shone around him. He then heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." Saul said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" The divine encounter with the Lord transformed him into a new man. The Lord chose him as His vessel. (Acts 9:1-6,15).
Beloved! When the Lord comes and dwells in a person, he becomes a new person in Christ. The old nature in that person vanishes; the nature of Christ is born in him.
Long time ago, in a certain city there was a wicked bandit. He would rob people’s money and jewels in the night at knifepoint. Then he would go on a drinking binge and lose his consciousness. When he returned to his consciousness, he would rob again. One day, while walking on the road, there was a servant of God preaching about the Word of God, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). He was drawn to those words and he went to the man of God and said, "Sir, I am a robber and a drunkard. Will I receive peace?" The man of God said to him, "Come and pray with me. Ask the Lord and He will grant you His peace.
"When the man of God prayed, the robber's heart broke. He wept and asked the Lord to forgive him. The peace that the world could not give filled his heart. He returned home joyfully and slept peacefully for the first time in his life without taking alcohol. When the Lord came into the robber's heart, all his old sinful nature vanished and the love of Christ filled his heart. He started to live a new life and stopped robbing people.
Apostle Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Let us also depict the nature of Christ in us and lead a life pleasing to Him.
God bless you.
Prayer: -
Loving Father in Heaven,Come into my heart! Cleanse me and wash me with the blood of Lord Jesus Christ. Father, I give myself into Your mighty hands. Take complete control of me and transform me. Let all my sinful nature vanish and help me to lead a righteous life. Use me mightily for Your glory. In Jesus' mighty name, I pray.
Amen!
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