Welcome to 2022! Let us shower praises and thanksgiving to God for allowing us to enter this new year. And congratulations to all who have received a new life in Christ Jesus. For as the scripture says: "Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5 :17). But what is it - the new life in Christ?
LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS
The scripture says: "I have been put to death with Christ on his cross, so that it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. This life that I live now, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me. I refuse to reject the grace of God. But if a person is put right with God through the Law, it means that Christ died for nothing!" (Galatians 2:19-21).
The new life in Christ is, therefore, one of total surrender to the will of God, submission to the Holy Spirit, and dependence on the grace of God for everything. Of course, this does not mean that we "go to sleep and wait for God", rather it means that we submit our efforts and plans to the will and blessings of God. So by faith, love, obedience and prayer we live in total fellowship with God, through Christ Jesus, our Lord. And so we have the peace of mind in any condition, joy in all circumstances, and boldness to face every challenge that may come our way.
Thus, the Lord says: "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you." (John 15:10-12). Obedience is the key - obedience to the the law of love, by which we receive the Holy Spirit from God (John 14:15-17) and the peace that the world cannot give (John 14:27). And this Holy Spirit is the Helper and Comforter whom we need at all times.
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| CHERISH YOUR NEW LIFE IN CHRIST |
CHERISH THE NEW LIFE
It is written: "Do not give what is holy to dogs - they will only turn and attack you. Do not throw your pearls in front of pigs - they will only trample them underfoot" (Matthew 7:6).
For sure, we are not dogs or pigs - we are human beings, created in the true image of God. That is why God has willed that we receive eternal life through Christ. So, think of all the torments and trials you have gone through, and of all the sacrifices you have made; to encounter Christ and receive Him. And do not toy with your relationship with God. Let not material things lure you away from the path of salvation.
As the scripture says: "For the love of money is a source of all kinds of evil. Some have been so eager to have it that they have wandered away from the faith and have broken their hearts with many sorrows. But you, man of God, avoid all these things. Strive for righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Run your best in the race of faith, and win eternal life for yourself; for it was to this life that God called you when you firmly professed your faith before many witnesses" (1 Timothy 6:10-12). Yes, money is what we need to live, but money is not the end of life. So do not trade your life in Christ for money, because the same is able to give you more than you need (2 Corinthians 9:8), if you are faithful to him.
Finally, consider the price Christ paid to set us free, and do not be ungrateful to God or become an obstacle to yourself. For it is written: "Think of what he went through; how he put up with so much hatred from sinners! So do not let yourselves become discouraged and give up. For in your struggle against sin you have not yet had to resist to the point of being killed." (Hebrews 12:3-4)
YOUR ENEMY IS ANGRY
Remember that our common enemy - Satan - is not happy to see you free from his bondage. That is why he would use his afflictions and human agents to tempt and torment your life. So the scripture says: "Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Be firm in your faith and resist him, because you know that other believers in all the world are going through the same kind of sufferings." (1 Peter 5:8-9).
It is also written: "I have told you this so that you will have peace by being united to me. The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” (John 16:33)
PREPARE FOR ADVERSITY
The scripture also says: "Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out." (1 Corinthians 10 :13).
Therefore, do not be surprised that after all your prayers and spiritual sacrifices for crossover, the new year just came with unexpected challenges, setbacks or bad news. Do not be disappointed and do not be discouraged; rather, be glad that you are counted in the first batch of those who are being tested for promotion. As the scripture says: "But after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who calls you to share his eternal glory in union with Christ, will himself perfect you and give you firmness, strength, and a sure foundation." (1 Peter 3:10)
Now, let us take note of the following:
(1) Facing challenges does not mean that God is not present.
(2) Every challenge has a way out through God.
(3) Challenges are the means to encounter God.
(4) Challenges are the means by which we are evaluated and promoted.
And that's why, for everything we have to give thanks to God (Ephesians 5:20).
Now, let us meditate on this: "So they left the crowd; the disciples got into the boat in which Jesus was already sitting, and they took him with them. Other boats were there too. Suddenly a strong wind blew up, and the waves began to spill over into the boat, so that it was about to fill with water. Jesus was in the back of the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The disciples woke him up and said, “Teacher, don't you care that we are about to die?” Jesus stood up and commanded the wind, “Be quiet!” and he said to the waves, “Be still!” The wind died down, and there was a great calm." (Mark 4:36-39)
Therefore, "Let us hold on firmly to the hope we profess, because we can trust God to keep his promise." (Hebrews 10:23)
LIFE IS A GAME - ENJOY!
Life is a game. Like football, you are the player, the world is your field, God is the referee and your coach, and the scriptures are the rules of the game. Your plans and challenges are the objects you have to play, whereas your victories and successes are the goals you have to score.
If you want to be a winner, do not allow your challenges or conditions of life to play you - you have to play them, instead. Also do not allow other people to toss you as a ball, or to use you as a boot or glove to play their own games - be wise! Moreover, allow no one to referee your match - except God; because he is just and perfect.
Take delight in striking your obstacles and in targeting your plans, just as the footballer takes pleasure in kicking the ball and scoring the goal. You can not win the match without scoring the goal, you can not score the goal without kicking the ball, and you can not kick the ball without attacking your opponent to take the ball, or defending the ball in your possession. This is what we see everyday in the stadiums - and this is how life is.
It is just as the scripture says: "Surely you know that many runners take part in a race, but only one of them wins the prize. Run, then, in such a way as to win the prize. Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever. That is why I run straight for the finish line; that is why I am like a boxer who does not waste his punches. I harden my body with blows and bring it under complete control, to keep myself from being disqualified after having called others to the contest." (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
YOU ARE A WINNER - REJOICE!
As the scripture says: "I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith. And now there is waiting for me the victory prize of being put right with God, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day - and not only to me, but to all those who wait with love for him to appear." (2 Timothy 4:7-8). This is the conviction we have after having done what is humanly possible for us to, in the circumstances in which we are, and in accordance with the will or commandments of God.
It is with this certitude and the hope for the glory to come, that believers remain united with God in the face of their challenges, to win victories after victories. So it is written: "Who, then, can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death? No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us!" (Romans 8:35, 37)
And this is why another scripture says: "Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God's throne." (Hebrews 12:2)
YOUR REWARD IS SURE
The reward of eternal life is something too great and precious for anyone, born of Water and the Spirit, to afford to miss. So the scripture says: "I heard a loud voice speaking from the throne: “Now God's home is with people! He will live with them, and they shall be his people. God himself will be with them, and he will be their God. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain. The old things have disappeared.” Then the one who sits on the throne said, “And now I make all things new!” He also said to me, “Write this, because these words are true and can be trusted.” And he said, “It is done! I am the first and the last, the beginning and the end. To anyone who is thirsty I will give the right to drink from the spring of the water of life without paying for it. Those who win the victory will receive this from me: I will be their God, and they will be my children. (Revelation 21:3-7).
And the end is even so sorrowful for those who betray their faith in Christ. So it is written: "But cowards, traitors, perverts, murderers, the immoral, those who practice magic, those who worship idols, and all liars - the place for them is the lake burning with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)
In conclusion, this is what you need to enjoy your new life in Christ: faith, love, obedience, perseverance, prayer, meditation on the Word, thanksgiving to God, Eucharist communion, and submission to the Holy Spirit.
Let us pray :
O' Lord, help us to cherish your life which you have given to us, and to remain faithful and united to you; so that when you appear, we too may appear with you and share in your glory, Amen.
Author: Aying Godman is a Catechist, Evangelist & Writer from the Roman Catholic Church in Cameroon. Email : ayinggodman@gmail.com
Copyright (c) Aying Godman (2021-2022) All rights reserved.
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