This past Thursday marked the first day of spring. It will not be long before fresh leaves start appearing on trees and bright green blades of grass begin growing in lawns and fields. New life appears before us in God's creation to replace what had withered away last fall. It is this vitality and newness that makes the spring season a favorite time of year for many.
The Bible speaks of a "newness of life" (Romans 6:4). This phrase is used in the context of how one lives in a new way having died to sin by being baptized into Christ. For he who has died has been freed from sin (Romans 6:7 NKJV). When one is baptized, he still looks the same in appearance as he was before being baptized; however, his manner of life from that point forward is new. He no longer lives in his old sinful ways, but he lives for God in righteousness (Rom. 6:10,11). He has put away the old man of sin, and has put on Christ by the grace of God. There is a change that others can observe in the life of the one who was baptized.
At least, that's the way it should be. But there are some who think they can behave just as they always have, and yet have the benefits of baptism. They may behave well among Christians, but among old friends, they resurrect the old man and behave as if nothing ever changed. In such cases, there is no benefit to their baptism for they have not obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine (Romans 6:17b). They did not rise to walk in newness of life, nor did they die to sin.
But there are also those who sincerely obey the gospel but have trouble charting the new way. In such cases, these folks could benefit from deeper Bible study and encouragement or admonishment from their church family. In the Bible we read of a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great (Acts 8:9). But when they [some Samaritans] believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done (Acts 8:12,13). There is no reason to believe that Simon was not sincere in his obedience to the word of God.
However, soon afterwards, Simon desired to have the same power the apostles had to give the gift of the Holy Spirit, and offered them money to do so. It seems he had trouble letting go of his old ways of desiring to be "someone great," using "the gift of God" for self-advancement. Peter admonished him and told him he needed to repent and pray to be forgiven of such thoughts. Simon humbly asked for Peter to pray for him (Acts 8:18-24). Simon had gotten off track, but the good news was that he could be forgiven. We may stumble from time to time and get off track, so to speak; but when we do, we must repent and turn back to God to walk in newness of life.
As we see the newness of life around us over the next few weeks, let us rejoice in the new life that God has graciously given us through His Son in freeing us of our sins. May we be diligent to lead a... life in all godliness and reverence (1 Timothy 2:2b). Or if we have strayed from the way, may we repent and turn back to God before it is too late. Praise be to God that there can be newness of life for us!
Brotherly, Jamie
