New Life in Christ Weekly Summary
Monday
Through person(s) bringing a Christ message to us we see a new way of life opening up before us. The bondage that held us captive is loosened. We are reconciled with God by hope for a better future. We recognize that this intervention in our lives is due to Jesus Christ breaking into our lives when we did not expect it. This reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ brings about a fundamental change in our outlook. We experience the birth pangs of a new life in Christ.
Tuesday
We interpret that a new life in Christ arises from within and requires a figurative discarding of outer garments. Often this can be a difficult process. These outer garments can represent social trappings that we have used to make ourselves presentable to the world - social clubs, social identities, personalities, behaviours and places frequented, language and manner of speech. And these are not easily changed.
Wednesday
We reflect on our own lives and our transformation from bondage to empowerment through a new life in Christ. Through Christ we are redeemed from sin and forgiven by God. This redemption breaks the hold that darkness and sin have over our lives, allowing us to live in freedom and victory. The Holy Spirit works within us to renew our minds and conform them to the image of Christ. This transformation empowers us to resist temptation and overcome the darkness that is holding us back.
Thursday
As followers of Christ we have to be willing to also die to self so that we may bear much fruit. We build the kingdom of God by bringing forth persons to do the Father’s will. Our ambition is not for ourselves but for the building the Kingdom of God on earth. We build disciples for even greater success than ourselves. We are self-effacing and understated. Yet we are driven to build the Kingdom. We have a singularity of vision.
Friday
Jesus is telling us we each have a specific ministry in the bigger mission of ‘Building the Kingdom of God on earth”. Stay with it. This is important in ministry and in career development. We each have a vocation. This vocation may adjust as we grow older. At each stage of our vocation, stay with your role. We stay true to our role and station in life. We stay true to our vocation and its development through our life stages.