Characteristics of the new life in christ
When a person places their faith in Jesus Christ and is born again, they experience a transformation that brings about new life in Christ. Here are some characteristics of this new life:
- New Creation: As a believer, you are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Your old self has passed away, and you have been made new in Christ.
- Righteousness: You are declared righteous by God through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:24). This means you are considered holy and blameless in God's eyes.
- Freedom from Sin's Power: You are no longer a slave to sin, but a slave to righteousness (Romans 6:18). You have the power to live a life that is pleasing to God.
- New Heart: You receive a new heart, which is a heart that loves God and desires to obey Him (Ezekiel 36:26).
- Spiritual Life: You are given the gift of the Holy Spirit, who indwells you and guides you in your walk with God (Romans 8:9).
- Love for God: You develop a deep love for God and a desire to worship and serve Him (John 14:15).
- Love for Others: You also develop a love for others, including your neighbors, enemies, and even those who are difficult to love (Matthew 22:37-40).
- Fruit of the Spirit: You begin to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, and humility (Galatians 5:22-23).
- Increased Wisdom: You receive wisdom from God, which helps you navigate life's challenges and make decisions that align with His will (James 1:5).
- Hope and Assurance: You have hope and assurance of eternal life with God, which gives you confidence and peace in the midst of life's uncertainties (1 John 5:13).
- New Priorities: Your priorities in life change, and you begin to value things that are eternal and spiritual over things that are temporal and worldly (Matthew 6:19-20).
- Increased Joy: You experience a deep and abiding joy that is not dependent on circumstances, but on your relationship with God (John 16:24).
- Greater Forgiveness: You are able to forgive others and yourself, just as God has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32).
- Increased Humility: You become more humble and recognize your dependence on God, which leads to a greater sense of gratitude and worship (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
- A New Family: You become part of God's family, which is a community of believers who are united in their love for God and for each other (Ephesians 2:19-22).
These are just a few of the many characteristics of the new life in Christ. As you grow in your faith, you will experience these changes and many more, and you will become more like Jesus Christ, the ultimate example of what it means to live a life that is pleasing to God.