Live A New Life

Romans 6: 3-7 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

         How many routes can you think of to go from your house to your church? Is there only one route, or are there multiple routes? Are you locked into following the same route all the way, or can you find alternatives? Most likely there are a myriad of paths to follow to arrive at the same destination.

         I am so very thankful that in spite of the path I chose early in my life, I have arrived at where I am today. The detours were entertaining, scary at times, off the beaten path for sure. But, at long last I have found the path to stay on. There are temptations to jump off the path are go back to that past. But, there is one very important difference between then and now. It boils down to knowing  that I am no longer a slave to sin. Embracing the baptism I have in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:3-7 is so comforting. Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. That is the good news that everyone should be given. It is also the good news that Satan and our sinful world wants to hide and suppress. For in the ignorance of the world rests the despair of failure. And Satan feeds on despair. Despair is the foot in the door he so relentlessly seeks out. When the good news of the Gospel is suppressed, then the despair gospel lives and thrives.

         What are you and I to do? For starters we can consider the words of 2 Timothy 4:2-5 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.  When we encounter messages that run counter to the Gospel we can speak up and speak out. We can use our voice, offer in love to share the Gospel. We can remain engaged in the world. We can take ownership of our role. We can preach the word in season or out of season. We can be prepared in prayer and study to offer up a cogent, loving message that shares the Real Love of God. We can look at how others are sharing that message and if we find instances where the message is not shared in the spirit of love, we can encourage a change. We can stay involved. Some will say a boycott gains attention. My thought is that in a boycott you find hate and disdain. Those are qualities far removed from love. If we stay in conversation, we gain much. If we adopt a regime of silence, then we all lose. The loss takes place because no one is sharing the message of the Gospel. We pitch Jesus because that is the armor we are given in our fight against all that is wrong. We take on this challenge full in the knowledge that it is Jesus and only Jesus, who is the atoning sacrifice. He fought the battle and won. Satan was forever conquered. Satan only gains when that important lesson is forgotten.

         Dear friends, each of us arrives at our destination in our faith walk in our own way. There is no one path followed by all. Elements of your journey may be similar to that taken by others. Each is a unique journey. Along our path we are given the opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesu Christ. Of all the lessons to take away from the Phil Robertson episode, the biggest is to share the complete message personally. You are a witness to what happens when someone else is left to deliver the message of the Gospel. The results of the message delivery may be inconsistent at best, wrong at the worst. Friends, it is time to take a lesson and make the delivery of the Gospel a personal task. Share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others when ever and where ever you can. Share the Real Love of God. Share Jesus.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for the blessing of Advent. Thank You for Your Son. Thank You for your Holy Spirit that gives the faith we desperately need to stand strong for You when our world shouts You down. Thank You for Your Word that comforts and guides us in our life. Thank You for the gift of discernment that allows us to see the real truth when a fake truth is offered by our world. All these blessings we give thanks for in the strong name of Jesus Christ. Amen.