During each new day of our lives, we have an important choice to make: we can choose to live by the standards of the past; we can make wise or not so wise choices for the now and the today; or we can be the dreamer and live only on the promises of what we hope to be our future. Whether we are Christians or whether we choose to live ungodly and separate from the call of Christ, a loving savior, truly we choose some direction and purpose for our daily lives. In the past there may have been failures that tend to hinder and bind us. In the present there is the fresh and new opportunity of being part of the new life which we are offered in Christ when we walk by faith, 2 Corinthians 5:17. We have no knowledge of the future and no promise of it. I, in the words of the Apostle, plead for men to seek and find the most wonderful of lifestyles and happiness that comes when we allow the word and Christ the living word to motivate our choices and drive our decision making. John 1:14, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:7-8.

The life of Christ can be our life. The example that he is and the actions that he took are powerful beams of light that point to the success that is attainable when we allow the word of Christ to dwell in our hearts by faith. Ephesians 3: 16-18. Jesus will and should dwell in us. The air that we breathe is vital to our living bodies, and the indwelling of Christ in us is vital for our spiritual wellness and the building of a new life that is realized by following the pattern of the Living Lord. The question, then, is crystal clear. Does the life of Jesus dwell in you? Is his life your life? In what ways are you like him? In what ways is your life different or even opposite from his?

Please take these questions and facts and examine your life in light of the Holy Scripture. Where is the source of true and everlasting life? The human existence is frail, weak, and passing as evidenced by the many graves and burial sites in our communities. Sin's curse has left its mark on the human way of life, Romans 5:12. We can clearly see that life is not in the flesh nor any part of the human side of man. If we are to find new life, it will only be found when we are in Christ in his spiritual body, the church, and living out his example in both word and deed, Colossians 1:18, Ephesians 2: 1-2, Romans 5:10. Without Christ living in us, we are like starving men without bread, dying men without medicine, and suffering men without a physician. Our new life can begin when we realize our sins and seek a remedy.

Jesus invites us to a new and living way and the surety of eternal life as we walk in his life-giving pathways. Please take these key thoughts to study and pray about. When we follow Christ by walking in truth and light, we turn our backs on the past and the calling of the old man and his deeds. Ephesians. 4:23-24.

The new life comes with a price to be paid. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Christ paid the price for sin, but we, too, must pay the daily price of self-sacrifice and faithfulness to Christ and his word. Christ must be the ruling force in our daily life, Romans 6:13. The word of God must dwell richly in us for us to permanently break from the cruel draw of sin. Colossians 3:16-17.We must let Christ reign and rule each hour and each day. When Christ is in you, you are transformed; you are his possession; he is your ruler and the genuine hope of each new day.

We grow into mature, God-fearing, practical, humble, faithful, and loving creatures of his divine design, wisdom, and possession. The new life can be yours as you allow the Creator to fulfill his design in your choices and your everyday behavior. Let Christ bring new life to your heart and both of you can rejoice. -P.O. Box 335, Harold, Ky. 41635. jimopr@mikrotec.com

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