New Nature

June 5th – Matthew 5:44

Matthew 5:44

Of all the commands Jesus gives, the most radical must be to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Not easily done with our fleshly nature. But with Jesus we can put aside our old selves and respond instead with the Fruit of the Spirit. By showing love to our enemies, we demonstrate the selfless nature of Christ. Joy can fill our hearts when we choose reconciliation over retaliation, knowing we are following Jesus’ example. We create peace in our lives by replacing conflict with compassion. Practicing patience with those who oppose us allows room for transformation and understanding. Kindness and goodness shine through our actions, when we respond to hostility with generosity and care. Faithfulness in obeying Jesus’ commands, even when difficult, reflects our commitment to His teachings. Gentleness, helps soften hearts and break down barriers. And finally, self-control keeps us from reacting out of anger, instead responding with grace and love. Just as our Savior responds to us.

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October 2nd – Romans 8:14

Romans 8:14

When we receive Jesus as our Savior, many wonderful things begin to happen. First God sends us His Holy Spirit to help, guide, teach, and comfort us. Then the Spirit, because of God’s grace towards us, begins to get to work. He takes the crumbling, broken, bumpy roads of sin in our lives, and clears out a new, smooth, glorious path leading to God. A path that turns aside from the old, carnal, fleshly manner in which we formerly walked. A new path that sends us in a direction of righteousness, leaving our old sin nature behind. But this can only happen if we submit to the promptings and leading of the Spirit. For no change will come unless we allow the Spirit to begin the work of transforming us into the image and likeness of Christ. A work that will brings us into a greater, more intimate relationship with our Father in heaven above.

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