The old me, the new me
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” (NIV) 2 Corinthians 5:17
To be in Christ means that our old self must be done away with and a new self put on. So my question is, “are we in Christ?” On the surface, we shall say a big “YES”. If we can boldly say “YES”, then we must also be bold enough to say that, we are now new creations and free from our negative old ways.
I do not know how many of us can boldly say that we are free from our old negative ways and only hold in high esteem, our new Christ-like self. I do not think I, the writer, am even in the position of boasting that I am solely free of my negative old self.
Many of us are still holding on to our old negative ways- sexual immorality, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, jealousy, drunkenness, selfish ambition etc (Gal 5:19-21). I am not saying we ought to be perfect before we shall be considered to be in Christ, however, my argument is, as long as we say we are in Christ, we ought to make the effort to rid ourselves of all negative things that prevents us from being new (thrive to perfection). Prayers, willing heart and effort are keys to achieving this perfection.
As we pray for assistance to get rid of our old self, we must be aware that challenging situations may come our way to test us. If we overcome, then we have passed that particular test. We will be battling with many challenging situations that will require us to be selfless in order to let go our old self and be clothed with the likeness of Christ.
My prayer is that, may the Lord guide us and instill in us the will to do away with our old self and in doing so, may we be made new in Him till He comes again. AMEN.
HYMN: A NEW CREATURE
Buried with Christ, my blessed redeemer,
Dead to the old life of folly and sin;
Satan may call, the world may entreat me,
There is no voice that answers within.
CHORUS:
Dead to the world, to voices that call me,
living a newer, obedient but free;
dead to the joys that once did enthrall me
yet ‘tis not I, Christ liveth in me.