When we decide to follow Jesus, we’ve been raised to new life in Christ. But what exactly does that mean? The Passion Translation (TPT) of Colossians 3:1 says, “Christ’s resurrection is your resurrection, too.” Meaning, because of Jesus' death on the cross and subsequent resurrection from the dead, we’ve been raised to a new life in Jesus when we say yes to Him. 

It might seem confusing and hard to grasp, but it doesn’t have to be. Jesus came and died to cover all the sins of everyone who ever lived — that’s us — and when we give our lives to Him and make the choice to follow Him, we get a new life in Him.

Here are two thoughts to help you begin understanding what a new life in Christ is:

Adjust your gaze.
When we say yes to Jesus, our old life is gone, right? Not always. What comes naturally is to choose the things that we are accustomed to and feel good in the moment. Our affections are often set on the temporary joys and sorrows of this world. Yet, God wants more for us! We must do our part and fix our eyes on Jesus so that the burdens and struggles in this world don’t continually rob us of new life.

Make Him your life.
The first part of Colossians 3:4 says, “When Christ, who is your life...” Too often this isn’t true for us. Jesus might be part of our lives but He isn’t our life. Basically, we ask Jesus to be our Savior, which allows us to spend eternity with Him, but we aren’t quite sure we want Him to be our Lord and rule every aspect of our lives while on earth. 

• He inhabits part of our thoughts, but we don’t allow Him to be Lord over all of them. 

• He occupies part of our day, but we don’t allow Him to be Lord over all of it.

• He’s invited into some of our decisions, but we don’t allow Him to be Lord over all of them. 

We often think that just because we become Christians, we should supernaturally change. That when we say yes to Jesus, He comes into our lives and we just change without an effort on our part. And while that can happen because our God can do anything, we still have to be engaged in the battle for our spiritual holiness. 

As we mature grow in our spiritual transformation, we will learn more and more what it means to “put off” the old self, to “put on” the new self, and how to say and do everything in light of what Christ has done for us. 

Reflect

• Where is your gaze set? What can you do to take your gaze off the temporary? 

• When you think about your life in Christ, do you invite Jesus into all of your life or just a part of it?

-

Related Scriptures

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 

-

Isaiah 43:19

Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.

-

Related Prayer

Dear Father God,

I give all my cares and concerns to You. I know You are my Heavenly Father who can provide me with everything I need. (Father God) You know my needs before I even ask you for them. Thank you, Lord, for Your new beginnings and unwavering provision. (Father God) I trust that Your peace will watch over me as I step into a new beginning. (Father God) This year, I will rely on the riches of Your love and grace to provide for my physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

In Jesus’ Holy Name,

Amen.

-