SAYING BYE TO THE OLD MAN

SAYING BYE TO THE OLD MAN!


The Bible says: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"The old has gone", Paul tells the reader. The old way of thinking, the old way of behaving is no longer acceptable for any Christian to live by any longer. Everything about you should let the world know that you've been born again, that you are a new creation, a new person!

Note: Why would people want to have a relationship with Jesus, if we (Who claim to be Christians) behave and act like those who have no hope? They may say to themselves “If it didn't work for you ... It won't work for me either”. Friends, we represent the King Of Kings in this world and as the representatives of the living God we must walk, talk and act like Him... In "righteous and holy living". (Titus 2:11-14, 1 John 2:3-6)

The world is looking for peace, for love and permanent lasting solutions for the different problems that humanity is facing right now. The answer to all these problems is and it will always be in a committed and devoted relationship with Christ Jesus. Living a life of obedience to God will always bring blessings, but living your life in opposition to God’s commandments will always bring devastation, judgments and destruction. Only God can turn things around for our good but we have to be willing to follow and trust His plan for our lives. (Romans 8:28)

If the life you live consists in the total opposition to God’s way of living and you rebel against His commands, then, when things go wrong in your life, you can’t say, "why has God allow this to happen to me, where is God?"  We can’t do what we want and then expect things to be great and wonderful in our lives. If you want to have success and happiness in this life then, my friends, only those that follow and obey the Lord will have a happy and a successful life. If you’re tired of going your own way and if you are frustrated that everything you have tried hasn’t worked… Then, try doing things God’s way. What do you have to lose? You’ve given everything else a try... God says; He will give success and happiness to all those that follow and obey His commandments, He will take care of you. (See Deuteronomy 28:8, 12, Psalm 34:10, Psalm 91:14, Matthew 6:25-33, Philippians 4:19)

The Bible says:

"In the same way, COUNT yourselves "DEAD TO SIN" but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore DO NOT let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. DO NOT offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are NOT under law, BUT under GRACE." (Romans 6:11-14)

"DO NOT" be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction” (Galatians 6:7-8)

"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But "DO NOT" use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; RATHER, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “ Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:13-14)

What is in the old nature? This is what Paul tells the Galatians...

"The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambitions, dissentions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. (Watch This...Don't Miss It!)  I warn you, as I did before, that THOSE who LIVE like this "WILL NOT" inherit the kingdom of God."   (Remember these letters are written to the church … Saved people)- Galatians 5:19-21

Note: As Christians...We are made into “ A New Creation” we have no business wallowing up in sin any longer. That old life should not have a place in any Christian’s life, "NOTHING" about that old nature should be appealing to us. That old life was meaningless, empty and destructive. What’s so attractive about that?  (Romans 6:16)

The life of a Spirit- filled Christian will be lived in this way- "The Fruits of the Spirit"

"BUT the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envy each other." (Galatians 5:22-26)

Note: We have to be disciplined servants of the gospel of our Lord. We, who say to others … I am a Christian, we "MUST" walk, talk and live like Christ's commands... We must be faithful servants of the living God. (John 14:15, 21, 23-24, John 15:14, John 13:34-35, 1 John 2:3-6, 1 John 5:2-3)

I can relate and understand to what Paul tells the Corinthian Church in how he deals with the old nature. I have committed myself to exercise everyday and to eat healthy. I want you to know that this is not always easy, but I am determined to be healthy in mind, body and spirit. Whether my body feels like it or not we exercise everyday and we eat healthy no matter how many fast food places we pass along the way. I made up my mind… I want to be healthy and with God’s help I will continue on this committed lifestyle and this same approach I have in my walk with Jesus. I stay close to my King in fasting, prayer and daily biblical studies. In the same way we should all have a committed lifestyle in righteousness, in holy living and in walking in obedience to our God. Make up your mind not to let sin be your master but count yourselves dead to sin once and for all. (Romans 6:11)

Look what Paul tells the Corinthians in how he deals with the old nature....

"Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:26-27)

Let us follow Paul’s spiritual exercise routines, for righteous and holy living daily.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL NOW AND ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA