Expressions for New Covenant Living
Author: Pastor H. Bill Coker
September 21, 2020
Scripture:
"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me"…be filled with the Spirit…"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (Luke 9:23; Ephesians 5:18; and John 10:10)
Reflections:
Living as servants of the new covenant is not some exclusive, elitist religious concept, available only to an initiated few. Rather, it is just one way to describe the life that is to be experienced by all who have placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. For many believers, these terms involve unfamiliar language.
Some familiar terminology that describes the same biblical reality would be "Christian discipleship." A disciple is a follower of Jesus Christ. In Luke 9:23, Jesus explained what was involved in following Him as a disciple. "Then He said to them all, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me'." In order to follow the Lord, a person must be willing to renounce the self-life, which is produced by one's own sufficiency. Then, that person must agree that such a self-produced life deserves to be judged and separated from God. Finally, everything that is needed for godly living must be found by pursuing a growing relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Some other terminology that depicts the essence of new covenant living would be "the Spirit-filled life." "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit." The Lord calls His people away from earthly influences that can dominate and diminish lives and urges us to live by the fullness of His Spirit. When Christians answer this call, they are willing to live by God's powerful, unlimited resources, instead of by man's feeble, finite means.
One other familiar phrase that comprises the same reality as life in the new covenant is "the abundant life." "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." When Jesus came into this world, His mission was not only to rescue us from the consequences of our sins but also to provide us with "abundant life," a spiritually enriched life that only He could produce in us. New covenant living—it is the same reality as "Christian discipleship," "the Spirit-filled life," and "the abundant life."
Points of Contemplation:
1. Salvation is of the Lord. Now that you have received the gift of salvation, what are you doing to develop spiritual growth for your life and ministry?
2. The Holy Spirit is the One that equips, empowers, encourages, and employs one for mission. Is the Holy Spirit functioning in your life? Do you have a Spirit-filled Life?”
3. Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10; NKJV). How do you understand abundant living?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for these expressions that point to life under the new covenant—a life of Christian discipline; a life that is empowered by the Holy Spirit; and a life that celebrates abundant living in Christ Jesus. Lord we realize that apart from you, we have nothing. Today, we surrender our will and our way under the Authority of Christ. Refresh us with your presence and empower us by Your Holy Spirit. Give us the desire for Christian discipleship that will spur in us spiritual growth, so that we may live a life of abundance. Help us daily to walk in ways that are pleasing unto You. May your grace and your mercy always pursue us, as Your divine favor precedes us. We ask these petitions in the Name of Jesus, who is our King forever! Amen.
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