New Life in Christ

This becomes a principle to live by, described as “putting on the new and putting off the old”. (Colossians 3:8-14, Ephesians 4:22-31).

It is a process whereby the old nature, having received a death-blow, is mortified and dies. As we have seen, the fallen nature is buried with Christ: now we must reckon ourselves to be dead to it. (Romans  6:4-11). This applies to our old nature which God now considers dead when Christ died. When he died, he did so in our place; he did what we could not do, took our sins, paid in full the penalty for them, died and rose again for us.

Not only are our sins buried with him but our entire sinful nature is dead and buried with him and we have a new nature. That is the way God now sees us, free of sin.

The Devil’s Deceptions

The devil, however, is a persistent deceiver and does all he can to keep resurrecting our “old nature”. He gets at us by trying to revive our fallen flesh nature. He keeps working on our weaknesses, tripping us up with failings, and shortfalls. He is a counterfeit worker of false miracles and tries to resurrect the “old life”.

He endeavours to revive areas within us such as self-pity, fear and rejection, if we have not fully repented from them. He will throw temptations at us such as bad literature, bad company, bad thoughts, and other things. He tries to persuade us to yield to wrong desires and selfish motives. By doing this, believers can be misled if they don’t put off the old and put on the new. (2 Corinthians 7:1).

Putting Off the Old and Putting On the New

It is like breathing, we let out old air and breathe in new air, so too we take in the new life of Christ and dispel the old life of sin. It’s like going to the loo, we eat good food and dump the waste.

Christians are not immune from demonic attack and although being “new creations” may still need deliverance. They have been forgiven but may not be fully living in the new life. On occasion, through lack of discipleship or proper instruction, or a great weakness on their part, Satan can cause defeat and bondage. Temptation is the work of the devil and can result in demonic bondage within the person, which can then affect them in their body, soul and spirit.

Spiritual Conflict and Victory

Through the ages, a fierce conflict has raged in the world and in the hearts of men and women. It will continue until Jesus returns. We are in this conflict and can experience victory: Christ is able to deliver us from evil. There are ways to counteract the attacks and have a full and meaningful spiritual walk and abundant life in Christ. It is through obedience that victory comes.

Many nominal Christians want Christ to be Saviour but have not yielded to his total Lordship in their lives. We are told to “put on Christ” and be clothed with him. (Galatians 3:27, Romans 13:12-14, Ephesians 4:24). When his life dwells in us, peace, power and victory prevail. He shines within us and dispels darkness and changes us from glory to glory. (2 Corinthians 3:18, Proverbs 4:18-19).

Putting On Christ

By dying to self and living to Christ we are delivered from every stronghold. This is the work of faith. Just as we put on clothes to cover ourselves, so too we “put on” Christ. He is our covering and protection.

We are not defenceless but have an “armour”. (Ephesians 6:11). As soldiers, we are called to “fight the good fight of faith” and as every soldier must undergo training in warfare so we must too. Every believer is involved in some way. This “putting on putting off” principle reaches it fullness when we put off our physical body at death and rise in our spirit body.

Join me as we continue on our journey through “A Life of Faith.”

Blog series Six – Two Kingdoms at War:

Episode 3: The Devil Is Real

Episode 4: The Armour of God

Episode 5: What is Spiritual Warfare

Episode 6: The Law of Sin & Death & The Law of The Spirit & Life

Episode 7: The Riches of His Grace

Episode 8: Works of the Flesh & Fruits of the Spirit

Blog series Seven – Pitfalls to a Life of Faith