Your New Life

I discovered basketball at age 10. I remember watching it on TV and seeing my older siblings play and wanting to emulate them. Then I joined a team and realized how much I had to learn to play with those better than me. 

When we come to faith in God through Jesus Christ, it can look like that. We’re excited about a new life and journey, but also nervous because we think, “I have no idea what I am doing.”

We have a great starting point in Romans 5:8-11:

“But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.  And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.”

Here are some points from this passage that can give us a good foundation as we begin our new life in Christ:

SALVATION THROUGH DEATH

The word ‘saved’ in verse 9 means to be ‘made safe.’ When we repent and follow Christ, we are made safe by Christ’s work on the cross. 

Isaiah 53:5 speaks of the coming Messiah (Jesus) who would be pierced, crushed, punished, and wounded for us.

We were standing in the sights of God’s holy wrath to be punished for sin. But by turning away from our sinful lives to pursue Christ, we are spared that wrath because Jesus took the punishment on the cross. 

NEW LIFE THROUGH RESURRECTION

Following Christ is following a Savior who is not dead. Matthew, Mark and Luke all use the phrase ‘He has risen’ when speaking of Jesus’ empty grave. John 20 records Mary Magdalene encountering the risen Lord. In 1 Peter 1:3, the apostle Peter said we have a “living hope” because our Savior is alive.

Through His resurrection, we are alive as well! We can live differently while on earth thanks to His Spirit within us, and when we physically die, we will spend eternity living with Him. 

RESTORED RELATIONSHIP

Romans 5:10 gives us a wonderful glimpse into the heart of our God. Reread the verse slowly:

“For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.” 

Hear the love in that verse! We were enemies of God until Christ saved us with His life. Because of this, we are reconciled to God. 

God is love and holiness. Since the Fall in Genesis 3, sin has separated us from God. But His forgiveness through Christ and our growth in Him brings us closer to how God originally intended things.

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Romans 5:11 says, “And not only that, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.”

Why would we boast in God? Because of the “living hope” mentioned in 1 Peter 1:3. 

Through confident expectation, hope is mentioned regarding Christ’s work on the cross. Jesus died and was raised from the dead as He said He would. So, if He said He will be back again and that in Him we are safe from God’s wrath, we can be confident He will bring that to fruition. 

So what does this mean for us, and why did He do this?

We are here to glorify Him. Being the one true God means He alone is worthy of praise. He sent Christ to die for us so we can worship Him as He deserves and have fellowship with Him. 

That the God of the universe would do all of this should bring us joy, peace, and hope, and prove that He alone deserves glory.

Sports will one day end. The glory of the Lord will last for all time. Live your life for His glory.

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Live It Out:

Quarter Verse – “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” –John 1:14 

Question – Are you chasing after something that isn't part of God's plan for you?   

Challenge – Find a Bible verse on God's glory and ask yourself what you can do to give Him glory in your day today.

*If you read this article and aren’t in relationship with Christ yet but would like to know more, we invite you to go through FCA’s The FOUR, which explains how an everlasting and fulfilling life with God is possible.

We want you to join us as we go through the Glory journey this year! Discover Chasing Glory, Received Glory, Reflecting Glory and Lasting Glory in your heart and purpose by diving into God’s Word and joining us through monthly content and challenges. Visit 

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