8-03-2024 7:00pm

Strong spirits: old or new?

Photo: Panoramio

Which is better, old or new?

It depends on what you are talking about. For example, many of us long for the "good old days." But many of us also long for change, for things to be better, for things to be "new."

When it comes to our spiritual lives, Jesus and the writers of the New Testament make it clear that our old life (one without God in the center) is insufficient. We need a new life, one where we are fully engaged with God in all parts of our life.

Jesus said to a Jewish leader regarding this, "You must be born again" (John 3:3).

Paul wrote, "...put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ...put on the new self, created to be like God in righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22,24).

I ask, who can possibly do this?

The answer? Only Jesus. He alone can make us new. Stop striving to be better, and start yielding to him. If you think you are already good enough, think again. We are all sinners, and we all need to be made new, every day. He can, and he will, if we will let him.

Besides serving as pastor at Caledonia Congregational Church, Gary Schwerin is the Spiritual Development Minister for the YMCA of the Rock River Valley and Executive Director of Bridge Ministries of Rockford. Prior to launching Bridge Ministries, Gary spent many years in leadership with Young Life. His columns appear here every Sunday - to see them all, subscribe to our daily email.