Apprehending New Life in Christ

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and to bring us into the kingdom of Christ (Col 1:13). This Great Act of Christ wrought on the cross not only brings reconciliation to God, to those who believe in Him, but it also brings life, a new quality of life, abundant life. In this new life we are given the wonderful privilege to speak directly to God, our Heavenly Father. In Christ’s dying, hostility from God was removed. But it is in the life of Christ that we are given sonship. Ephesians 1:3 says that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, sin has been pardoned, we have been adopted into God’s family, and we have been sanctification. All of this is from God. It is through the study of God’s Word, however, that we become rightly acquainted with Him. The Word brings the true revelation of who He is and who we are in Him. Without it, Christ cannot be formed in us and we cannot be conformed into His image as Paul states in Romans 8:29. THE DANGER OF CARNALITY The goal of Satan is to turn the minds and affections of believer’s away from Christ. His strategy is simple: Keep them occupied with the things of the world. If he can prevent them from studying the Word, he can fill their minds with lies. After all, he is known as the father of lies (Jn 8:44). If he can tempt them with carnal desires they will abandon their love for Christ for the pleasures of the world. He will convince them that they need not follow Christ with their whole heart, just acknowledge Him at their convenience. This is where many believers find themselves. They are weak and lethargic, and have become spiritually anemic. They need a transformation, a renewal, an infusion of spiritual truth. In other words, they need to know the truth in order to be free to walk in the fullness of life in Christ.