You Are New in Christ

And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name. —Acts 22:16

To be with Christ means to be united with him in faith and by baptism. In such a case, Christians are born again—born as a new creation. Today’s verse reflects on the idea that we’re new in Christ’s eyes upon baptism, completely washed of our old lives and old sins. Paul, who had known the power of Christ to transform a life, wrote this verse with confidence, to tell others of the incredible restorative power of the Holy Spirit. It may feel like reformation is a rare occurrence in the 21st century. It feels as though everyone is stuck in their ways and that true change may never happen—especially on a national or global scale. It’s easy to forget the overwhelming power of the Lord to revolutionize lives, abolish old habits and open people’s eyes to change. We must find faith in the idea of “new creation” by siding with Christ. If any man be in Christ, he or she is rendered a new creature. This doesn’t mean the evils of a past life will cease to tempt you. If you follow God as a means of escaping alcoholism, for example, old scars will still exist. The consequences of your actions will remain with you. However, walking with Christ changes the center of your existence, giving you a new love that expels old ones. If you want to feel new again, consider revitalizing your walk with Christ through daily devotionals, more focused prayer and another baptism. If you’re a new Christian who has yet to be baptized, understand that being in Christ makes you a brand new creation. Today, embrace “out with the old, in with the new,” and see what God has in store for your new life.