THE NEW NORMAL in Christ
A three word catch-phrase that proliferates the media today, has been repeated so many times that some are actually believing it is true is: “The New Normal”. This is as far from truth as one can get in relationship to the way people will be living out their lives in these United States. I am not saying that some things haven’t changed, but that we won’t know what will continue to be “normal” in the future. Will we all be wearing masks every time we step outside, will we forever be forbidden to hug one another, will the riots and violence in the streets be normal? Will we never again be allowed to visit a dying loved one, never again be allowed to have family picnics, graduation parties? Will we never again sit “face to face” with our own doctors or will the office visit and personal examinations become a thing of the past? Will school buildings be torn down, replaced with cold, unaffectionate computerized schooling? Will people be forever afraid of socializing? I don’t believe this will be “The New Normal”. Time will be the agent that tests my beliefs, time will eventually reveal the truth of the matter, and in the end, it will be what it will be.
But as for “The New Normal”, there is spiritual application that can be known by everyone, right now, in our lifetime, because we can see it being played out in the lives of others who began living a new normal, and continue striving for it, even to this very day. The New Normal I speak of is what happens when you are buried with Christ, then raised up to walk a new life. Paul spoke of this saying, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 3:11-12).
In his letter to the saints in Colosse in chapter 3 Paul wrote of changes every saint needed to make wherever the “shoe fit”. Paul listed just a few things that must become “The New Normal” behavior in every child of God which begins with putting off, then putting on. First, he commanded, “8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds” (Col. 3:8-9). What of pride, envy, wrath, slothfulness, greed, gluttony, and lust? For more read, (Rom. 1:28-32; 1 Cor. 6:7-10). Solomon wrote of seven things God hates which if we were guilty of any one of them it is reasonable to conclude a change, a new normal needs to become a reality if we are to believe our life is pleasing to God. “These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to [a]Him: 17 A[b] proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” (Prov. 6:16-20). I understand that not every person struggles with all these traits, some people are just temperate and cannot begin to relate to “anger and wrath”, and some people may struggle with these every day, and others may even be troubled by this entire list and more, as this is not an exhaustive list.
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ…who always leads us in triumph in Christ… and for His indescribable gift!” (1 Cor. 15:57; 2 Cor. 2:14, 9:15), and because of the power of God (1 Cor. 2:5), the power of the gospel (Rom. 1:16), and for God’s will for all men to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4). Thanks be to God that as many as received Jesus “…to them He gave the [c]right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13). Because of Him it is possible for anyone who loves God more than their own lives will be empowered by the Holy Spirit through the Word to make changes from the old to the new, thus living “The New Normal” in Christ. Jesus made this clear saying “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25). You cannot serve two masters (Matt. 6:24; Luke 16:13)! The old must die!
But then, the new is raised up, and that is the will of God. Paul went on to say, “For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be [a]done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin” (Rom. 6:5-6), To begin “The New Normal”, is to rid one’s self the old normal, “by putting off the body [a]of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ” (Col. 2:11), then by putting,“…on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him” (Col. 3:10). Repentance (Acts 2:38, 17:30; ; Luke 13:3, 2 Cor. 7:10-11), put off the old man of sin (Col. 3:9), buried in baptism (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12) and finally raised up to walk a new life (Rom. 6:4).
This “The New Normal” is not a “one-time-event” but continues daily changing you for the rest of your life! (Luke 9:23; Rom 12:2; 1 Pet. 3:15). When one is raised up with Christ one will begin to, “seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1). This “New Normal” in some may be dramatic, obvious and powerful and in others may go almost unnoticed and quiet and gentle. But there will be changes in every converts life. Change from sin to holiness. This occurs because we are commanded, “do not imitate what is evil, but what is good” (3 John 1:11). This occurs in every convert’s life in varying degree, because all must begin to imitate Christ (1 Cor. 11:1), and those members of the body of Christ who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Heb. 6:12). Paul said, “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:27).
“As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” 2 Sam. 22:31
So, we who are in Christ are indeed walking “The New Normal”, for the rest of our physical lives. Therefore, we put off anger, replacing it with patience and forbearance. We put off lying replace it with the love of the truth, put off hatred replacing it with love, exchange contentions for self-control, unfaithfulness for faithfulness, strife for peace. We put off the works of the flesh, and put on the fruit of the Spirit, crucifying the flesh, living, and walking in the Spirit (Gal. 5:19-25). “14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Col. 3:14-15).
The gospel is, “the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16) will you believe and let it transform your life?
In Love
David Scarpino
“140 Your word is very [b]pure; Therefore Your servant loves it. 141 I am small and despised, yet I do not forget Your precepts.” (Psa. 119:140-141)
Our faithful Creator is worthy to be praised in this assembly. All praise to Him who reigns above in majesty supreme! He gave His Son to die, for all mankind, that He might redeem all. Our blessed Redeemer suffered and died for our sins and is now risen and sitting at the right hand of God as Head of the church. Let us offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, knowing that He is the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him. (Hebrews 5:8-9) “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3)