Pastor Julie Shannon
Our family has recently been blessed with the birth of little Jazmine Anne, she is beautiful, cuddly and having to put up with my smoochy kisses. New Life has visited our home and our church here in Melton. Our Highway churches in Africa are all celebrating this new life also and some have already printed off her photo to show people. Nickie has been showered with flowers and gifts that just keep coming and coming, and although there is some loss of sleep I am enjoying Jazmines’ presence in our home immensely. It’s interesting how we human beings celebrate new life, we are amazed at the innocence of babies and many a big grown hardened adult’s heart has melted while holding a new born.
The term “New Life” is used in scripture quite a few times and a Christian is often referred to as being “Born again”. The word “life” refers to a “characteristic of organisms that exhibit certain biological processes such as chemical reactions or other events that result in a transformation”. Something is required to be able to change or be transformed to be classed as alive; little Jazmine has already changed, filling out her wrinkles and growth suits. The Apostle Paul in his writings to the Roman Churches brings an explanation to the term New Life. Romans 6: 1-4, Jesus Christ had to die and then come alive again to have new life, because He did this for us, when we believe in him and accept Him into our whole being, we die to sin and are born again into new life with Him. It’s only through this life changing transformation that we can have new life, without it we are only trying to follow rules on our own; without supernatural help. Without it, we can have all the best intentions; we can try to please others and have a sort of appearance of new life but have no fruit. Our helper; The Holy Spirit was sent to Christians by Christ himself after he ascended into heaven,
Read 2 Corinthians 3:4-6.
When we become born again, we are seen as new believers and referred to as Christians… we receive the Holy Spirit as our helper; we are dead to sin and alive in Christ. Just as we are amazed at the innocence of a new born baby, we too are seen as innocent by our father in heaven because of what Jesus did for us. Remember to celebrate the new life that you have in Jesus Christ, you know just as we have celebrated baby Jazmines’ birth; there were angels in heaven celebrating with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit when you were born again. Just as Nickie and Jazmine received many gifts, you too have received wonderful gifts from God. Remember who you are,
you are loved, Julie
