New Life

I recently spent some time with a young couple preparing for their wedding.  It was fun to talk to them and be reminded of how clueless I was before I got married. From the very beginning, my husband has been into figuring out things like "the five year plan" and "the ten year plan."  I, on the other hand, have always been more into: what are we going to do today that's fun? For our entire married life, my sweet man has asked me "planning questions" or has tried to have discussions with me about planning for the future.  Poor guy.  Those moments have never gone as he has hoped.  I look at him with one of those glazed, "what are you talking about?" expressions on my face.  When push comes to shove, I can plan.  Just please don't ask me to look too far into the future, because, seriously, you may just never know what grand opportunity will come around the corner before then (hope truly springs eternal).

The delightful young couple also reminded me of how rosy and blissful those early days were.  Everything was so exciting.  We got to pick out a place to live.  We got to furnish and decorate with items that really were quite ugly (cheap and free doesn't necessarily come stylish).  We had our first house guests, our first Christmas tree, our first attempt at painting a room (that's a colorful story…), our first pet, and our first fight.  We were both going to school and working part time jobs.  We created memories that we still laugh about today, and that make for great sermon illustrations.  Life together was so much better, so much MORE than life apart. Life was fresh, invigorating, fun and filled with wonder and delight because it was all so NEW.

Those blissful, newlywed images and memories recently came to the forefront of my mind during my time with Jesus as we read Romans 5 and 6.  Paul is discussing how Christ's death on the cross restores what God had planned from the beginning.  He talks about how Adam's sin brought sin into the life of everyone, and Jesus' death provides justification for everyone.  Romans 5:18 says, "Yes, Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone." (NLT) Romans 6:4 says, "For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism.  And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives." (NLT) Romans 6:13 says, "Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin.  Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life…" (NLT) When we accept what Jesus has done to justify our sinfulness and grant us the freedom to have a relationship with God Himself, God graciously blesses us with new life. 

I've been a Christ follower for many years, and remembering the wonder and bliss of my newly married days gave me a fresh picture of what my life with Christ is to be like. Just like I was chosen by my husband and asked to be a part of his life, every day, till death do us part, God chooses me. Just like my husband assured me of his love, friendship and acceptance, God assures me even more.  Just like my husband committed to honor and provide for all my needs, God commits even more fully. 

This new life that God provides 

• is a place of "undeserved privilege" (Romans 5:2);
• it allows me to share in God's glory -"the manifestation of His excellence and power" (Romans 5:2, Amplified version); 
• it is filled with the assurance of how much I am loved (Romans 5:5,8); 
• allows me to be "a friend of God" (Romans 5:11);   
• offers me forgiveness and acceptance (Romans 5:15); 
• enables me to live in triumph over sin and death (Romans 5:17); 
• defines me as righteous and in right standing with God (Romans 5:19, 21); 
• frees me from sin's power (Romans 6:7); 
• crowns me as one who conquers death (Romans 6:9-11); 
• gifts me with the opportunity to "do what is right for the glory of God" (Romans 6:13); 
• sets me up to "live under the freedom of God's grace" (Romans 6:14).  

I have a wonderful husband and a marvelous marriage.  I am blessed abundantly.  AND God loves and cherishes me even more than my husband does.  The life that God provides is so far beyond comparison to what I can offer my spouse, and what he can offer me.  God allows me to be "out in the wide open spaces of [His] grace and glory." (Romans 5:2, The Message).  That's my "new life," my real life, my Jesus life.  "Even more than that, [I] overflow with triumphant joy in [my] new relationship of living reconciled to God…" (Romans 5:11, The Passion Translation). This new life in Christ is what my heart has always longed for, what fulfills my deepest needs. This Jesus life encourages, equips and empowers me to be the best me I could ever imagine.  My relationship with God Almighty is no longer brand spanking new, and because of Jesus, my life is always new in Christ.  Glory to God!