Anyone who is in Christ becomes a new person. But what happens to those old habits?

Key Points:

  • When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are new creations positionally, meaning that even though we don’t fully think and behave like new creations, we still hold the position of “new creation.” Much of the Christian life is about the practical outworking of this fundamental truth: that in Christ, Christians are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). While some people do, in some ways, see immediate results and life change when they are saved, they still have other aspects of their lives that must be formed, over time, into the image of Christ.
  • How does God the Holy Spirit lead us from the inside-out? Romans 12:1-2 teaches us, based on God’s mercy, to offer ourselves back to Jesus Christ, to use our freedom to honor and glorify God and to be the people he created us to be. As we continue to offer ourselves as “living sacrifices” to God, we are inwardly transformed.
  • It is not just about the “don’ts” of life – “dont” drink, “don’t” watch pornography – but but the “do’s” – “do” pray and fast, “do” study scripture, “do” mentor others. When we use the freedom we have in Christ to intentionally do the things he has created us to do (Ephesians 2:8-10), we will through this process be more and more transformed into people who by nature “don’t” want to do the things we used to struggle with.
  • The battle isn’t won after midnight when you’re sitting at your computer, it’s won day-in, day-out, as you choose to walk in the Spirit and align your new nature with new habits.

Quote This:

Ephesians 2:8-10 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

 

Talk About It
  1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. When you first came to Christ, were there things that immediately or very quickly changed in you? Explain.
  3. What things is God still working on in your life – the “don’ts” you personally struggle with? Do these struggles discourage you at times? Explain.
  4. What “do’s” in your life are you practicing to conform yourself more and more to the likeness of Jesus? If you don’t have these “do’s,” what could they be for you?
  5. Pastor Bryan says that the “battle” we are all fighting is not won at 1 AM right when our temptation is about to overtake us, but day-in, day-out. Explain practically what this day-in, day-out walk with Jesus would look like for you or for others you know.
  6. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
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