New Life in Jesus Christ

Spring has always been my favorite season. I like that although 50 degrees in the fall feels cold, in the spring it feels like a heat wave. And with the warmer air, there’s hope that winter is nearing its end.

Spring reminds me of new life—buds on the trees, flowers peeking through the ground, the subtle shift of everything turning from brown to green…

And the new life we have in Jesus Christ.

New life because Jesus took on our punishment, and through His death and resurrection, we are set free from sin.

For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Romans 5:17-18 NLT

My prayer is that you know this New Life yourself, that you’ve experienced His love through Jesus.

If you’re not sure—maybe you’re on the edge, wavering between belief and unbelief—I encourage you to keep exploring the Christian faith.

Read the resurrection accounts in the Bible (Matthew 27-28, Mark 15-16, Luke 24, John 19-21.)

Think about the sacrifice Jesus made for all of us—including you. If you worry about the life you’ve led, know that nothing is too awful or too far gone that Jesus can’t heal.

Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:7-8 NLT

Everyone’s faith journey is different. For some, belief comes easy. For others, it’s a struggle. Author Michelle DeRusha knows that struggle. She spent 20 years on the side of unbelief, but God never stopped trying to get her attention. And He won’t stop trying to get yours.

In Michelle’s words…

Many of the people I met in the Bible, including the disciples themselves, turned out to be ordinary people and despite their many imperfections, God accomplished great things.

This realization gave me hope, hope that my questions and doubts and wrestling and waffling were all an important part of my journey, part of the growing pains I would experience in my deepening relationship with God. Peter told me I could waver. David told me I didn’t need to be perfect. Jacob told me it was okay to wrestle. And through these people and their stories, God told me he chose me again and again. In spite of my flaws. – Michelle DeRusha, Spiritual Misfit: A Memoir of Uneasy Faith (bold mine)

So, ask your questions. Find Christian friends you trust to talk to. And ask God—He can handle your questions and doubts. He knows you and He wants you to know Him.

Will you accept His invitation into a relationship with Him?

This Easter, will you receive the New Life Jesus gives through His glorious resurrection?

(Michelle DeRusha’s new book Spiritual Misfit is now available on Amazon. Click here for more information: Spiritual Misfit: A Memoir of Uneasy Faith.)

[Photo credit: Stock photo: Spring Crocus 3]