The Best Way to Live

Are there things that you've learned in life that you wish you had known earlier because it would've changed everything? For example, it would've been nice to know a few years ago that the housing market would go in the crapper in 2008-2009 and our home values would drop. Had we known that, maybe some different decisions would've been made for many of us.

Or if I knew the path ahead of time that God would lead me on, maybe I wouldn't have spent so much time dragging my feet and questioning what He was doing. (of course, I may have just avoided the path altogether)

Maybe you wish you had known to avoid that bad relationship, or to study harder for a huge exam, or to stay away from that party where things went very wrong. The decisions we make (both good and bad) are often the best teacher and help us later in life. But if we had only known what the right decision was early on...

Recently, I read a verse that reminded me of something incredible I learned later in life. I wish I had known this awesome truth when I was younger. The verse is from 2 Corinthians 3:8-9:

Shouldn't we expect far greater glory under the new way,

now that the Holy Spirit is giving life? If the old way,

which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more

glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God!

In this passage, Paul is comparing the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. The Old Covenant was rules-based, and required us being perfect in order to obtain salvation and holiness. This was the Old Testament way of living that said if you want to be like God, you have to obey every law. Mess up on any of them, even the smallest one, and it was over. If the Old Covenant was going to work, it was up to us to be holy. Needless to say, this was impossible for everybody. All it proved was that we were failures.

The New Covenant was different. It was grace-based, and gave us something we didn't deserve. The New Covenant depended on Jesus for salvation. Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the law because he never sinned, so he could stand in the gap for us. Now, when God looks at us He doesn't see our sin, He sees the holiness of Jesus!

Sadly, many of us as Christians stop there. I stopped here too for much of my life. We're thankful for the cross because it means we're forgiven, and we're no longer going to hell if we trust Jesus as Savior. But we fail to realize that there is so much more! It's more than just getting a "Get Out of Hell" card. There is something incredible that happens in us!

Here it is...

The New Covenant also says that the Holy Spirit lives inside of us. There is a change that happens in us that involves the very power of God! Living a holy life is still important, but it was no longer up to us to do it! The Holy Spirit gives us the power to live differently! It's not just about salvation (as incredible as that is); it's about living a God-filled life!

A few years ago, I read a book that profoundly impacted me. It is "Experiencing Christ Within" by Dwight Edwards. In this book, Edwards uses Scripture to point out 4 major things that God gives us when we become a Christian:

1. New Purity - Our sins are COMPLETELY washed away by the blood of Jesus! We are no longer who we used to be - a sinner.

2. New Identity - Our identity (who we are, what defines us) now is found in Jesus, not ourselves. Not only are we no longer who we used to be, we are now something we've never been before! We take on the identity of God!

3. New Disposition (Motivations) - We now desire to live for God. We want to walk with Him, know Him more, and live the way He wants us to live. We don't have to force it.

4. New Power - We now have the power of Almighty God in us! This is huge! Not only do we have the desire to obey Him, but we also have the power to accomplish it.

Understanding this has changed everything in my life! I now begin to understand the unbelievable revolution that takes place within my own heart. And when I understand how my heart has changed, God then begins to change the way I live!

Do you understand the impact that is made when you give your life to Jesus? It's way more than being saved from hell. It is the opportunity for a supernatural, power-filled, God-controlled life to be lived in you. That, is the best way to live!