Here's your sign!

Colossians 2:11-12

     When you came to Christ, you were circumcised, but not by a physical procedure. It was a spiritual procedure – the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

     In the Old Covenant, Jewish males were circumcised as a sign of their covenant with God. With the death of Christ, a New Covenant was formed and circumcision was no longer necessary. Instead, we are baptized, as a sign of putting our old life to death and being resurrected to a new life in Christ. It’s no longer a physical procedure, but rather a spiritual procedure of our heart.

     When we make the decision to follow Christ, something amazing happens within our heart and soul. You can sense it immediately. It’s a new, clean, fresh feeling accompanied by unspeakable joy. It’s that moment when our old, ugly, sinful nature is washed away by the blood of Jesus and replaced with his, clean, perfect nature. It’s a moment that each of us need to go back and relive on a regular basis.

     Take a moment to recall where you were when Jesus rescued you. Close your eyes and revisit the feelings and emotions you felt in that precious moment. Remember the pit of despair and hopelessness that you were sinking deeper and deeper into, and the joy that overwhelmed your entire being when you relinquished your broken life into his hands.  Nothing in life can compare to that moment, but the realities of living life in a fallen world has a way of kidnapping the peace and joy that were yours in the beginning days and weeks of your new life in Christ. That’s where I want you to understand that you can recapture what the enemy has stolen from you. If Christ can raise you from the dead and give you a new life, then you can receive peace and joy on a continual basis, just like you experienced at salvation.

     It’s up to you to die daily, at the foot of the cross, surrendering your life into the hands of Christ, and allowing him to wash you anew each and every day with the power of his blood. All it takes is faith and trust in him, rather than in your own abilities. You trusted him with your life at salvation; why not trust him each and every day afterward?

     Have you trusted Jesus Christ with your life by accepting salvation? Are you continuing to trust him with your life every day after? Do you remember the peace, joy and freedom you felt at salvation? How long has it been since you’ve felt that same feeling? Could it be that you strayed from his presence and power? Ask him to restore to you all that you have allowed the enemy to steal. Today, renew your faith and trust in your Savior and put aside doubt, despair and discouragement.

Have a great day!