Living the New Life in Christ

 

Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus explaining to them what it means to live the new life in Christ. “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:4-10 NIV).

Writing to the church at Corinth, Paul explains to them what it means to be a new creation in Christ Jesus, God’s handiwork, to do good works. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18 NIV).

God’s handiwork is the ministry of reconciliation. It is the same work God did in Christ Jesus making us alive when we were dead in trespasses and sins. It is obeying the new commandment. “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment” (1 John 3:23-24 NKJV).

In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul explains in the thirteenth chapter the meaning of the word translated “love” in the new commandment: “Αγαπη” [ag-ap-ee]. He explains both what it is and is not: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV).

One another in the new commandment goes beyond those attending church with us, friends, relatives, and our neighbors who are friends. Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:43-45).

The Holy Spirit pouring God’s love into our heart (Romans 5:5) produces fruit in our life: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV). Without the fruit of the Spirit, it would be impossible to obey Matthew 5:11-12: “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

If we obey the commandment and rejoice in the time of persecution, we will be able to obey other commandments related to being wronged: Repay no one evil for evil. Do not be overcome of evil but overcome evil with good. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be defrauded? (Romans 12:17, 21; 1 Corinthians 6:7).

In addition to the fruit of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit gives the ministers of reconciliation gifts of grace in order to obey the new commandment. The Greek New Testament word “χαρισματα” (khar’-is-ma-ta) is translated “gifts” in 1 Corinthians 12:4 and in Romans 12:6. “Χαρισματα” (khar’-is-ma-ta) contains the word that is translated “grace,” “χαρις” (khar’-ece). The gifts are God’s grace given to us by the Holy Spirit to give to others as well as others giving gifts to us.

There are eleven gifts of grace in 1 Corinthians 12—the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healings, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues, the interpretation of tongues, gift of helps, and gifts of administration.

In addition to the gifts of grace in 1 Corinthians 12, there are other gifts of grace listed in Romans 12:6-8—ministering, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, and showing mercy. Not only is “χαρις” (khar’-ece) translated “grace” in the New Testament, but it is also translated “thanks” and “thankful” in the following verses of the New International Version (NIV): (Romans 6:17 NIV), (Romans 7:25 NIV), (1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV), (1Timothy 1:12 NIV), and (Hebrews 12:28 NIV).

Every Christian is given a gift of grace to minister to others (1 Peter 4:10 NKJV). Often there are more than one gift. Gifts of grace are available for us to minister to others daily. Sometimes we see the needs of others, but other times we don’t. It is in those times that the Holy Spirit gives us the gifts of a word of knowledge and a word of wisdom to know the needs and what to do. Then follows the gift of ministry, giving, showing mercy, etc. Grace comes from God to us as a gift to give to others, and grace goes from us to God as thanks for the gifts we received. A minister of reconciliation living the new life in Christ is a continual receiver and giver of grace.

Robert P. Holland