No Retraction Needed!

There was an irate subscriber who stormed into the local newspaper office waving the current edition above his head, requesting to see whoever was in charge of the obituary section. Being directed to that individual, he yelled, “Obviously you can see I am very much alive and yet you listed me in the obituary column. I demand you print a retraction!” The columnist replied, “I never retract a story. However, I would be happy to list you in the birth announcement column and give you a fresh start.”

Jesus told Nicodemus “…UNLESS ONE IS BORN AGAIN he cannot see the kingdom of God.” and “… YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN.” ( John 3:3 & 7 ESV) Nicodemus had difficulty understanding such a concept, but Jesus directed his attention away from the physical to the spiritual. What a wonderful opportunity we have in Christ to gain a FRESH START! Anyone who is in Christ has become a “new creation” or “new creature” ( 2 Corinthians 5:17) and spiritually speaking, there is no need for a retraction because we have died in order to have this new beginning in Christ.
Paul encouraged…
“(2) Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (3) For YOU HAVE DIED, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (4) When CHRIST WHO IS YOUR LIFE appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” ( Colossians 3:2-4 ESV)

Having died to self and to sin ( Romans 6:2), our life is to be enveloped by Christ so as for Him to become our life. Being hidden in Him, He ought to be seen as we walk in His steps and seek to serve His purposes.

After mentioning the significance of having “died to sin”, Paul went on to say…
“(3) Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (4) We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, WE TOO MIGHT WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE.” ( Romans 6:3-4 ESV)

Born again! New creation! New life! FRESH START! Have we been listed in both columns -- obituary and births -- in the eyes of God? Truly it is the reverse order of how we relate physically, but spiritually speaking it is the death which precedes the life we can have in Christ. May we accept God’s Way and rejoice in the FRESH START He has given us the opportunity to enjoy.

Have a great day REFRESHED IN THE RENEWAL GOD MAKES REALITY!
Carl

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