God is calling us to a new place in Him. He is calling us to a new walk. It's a call that will never change and it’s a call that has always been there.

Romans 6:4, says “Because Christ was raised from the dead, we can and should walk in newness of life.” (paraphrase) So what does that mean? We can accept and believe that He died for our sins. But do we fully understand and accept that He rose again? Do we fully understand what His resurrection provided for us? Do we fully understand that concept because we live, move, and have our being like we don't…

Yes, His death took care of our past, present, and future sins. But He didn't just die. When He rose, He provided us with a new life. Now when we accept Him, we are made new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.” But what does this mean for us?

It means that if God never does another thing for us, we will still be able to thank and praise Him for the rest of our days because He's already done enough! He has made us new! When you accept the fact that you have been made new, everything changes. I personally just got out of one of the toughest seasons of my life. Those closest to me know of the battle that was going on, but to everyone else I appeared fine. I wore a smile, went to school, went to work, went to Church, but I was dying on the inside. One thing kept piling on top of the other and my responses to these adversities was contrary to the Word of God, therefore, I began to die spiritually. How many of you know that it is the things on the inside of you that no one can see that can be the deadliest things if not dealt with? I'm talking about things like pride, selfishness, idolatry, lust, greed, fear. The list goes on and on but these are the things that are invisible to the human eye. So during this period of time, I fell so far away from God. I had no desire for Him, I didn't want to hear about Him, I just wanted to do what I wanted to do.

During this time, I battled with depression and thoughts of suicide. I just felt like a failure at many things, I felt rejected by certain loved ones, and I just couldn't stand myself. I felt like there was no life in me. One night, I was in the bed and I said, "Lord, just don't let me wake up. I do not want to be here anymore. If you wake me up, I will take matters into my own hands. I don't care anymore".

As soon as I said that, I heard Him speak clearly to me. "Why would you choose death when I am right here? I have given you all you need. Are you ready to walk in newness of life?" So by the grace and mercy and love of God, I am standing to tell you that God has called us to walk in newness of life and anything less than that is not His perfect will. Newness of life is available to all who have believed in and accepted Christ.

Living apart from the newness of life will confuse you, render you powerless, frustrate you, not satisfy you, and ultimately destroy you. Outside of newness of life is nothing but turmoil, struggle, frustration, and so much more. But Christ has died that we would not only have abundant life, but walk in newness of life. It's already been provided for us. Our job is to believe it and align ourselves with the Word of God. Think of it this way: it's only a matter of alignment now.

When you walk in newness of life, circumstances and people may tell you that you are a “nobody” and God will never use you, but you can declare "not true”…Ephesians 1:4 tells me that I'm chosen by God". When you walk in newness of life, your weaknesses and failures may tell you that you are no longer lovable or forgiven because of mistakes you have made, but you can declare "not true”…
2 Corinthians 5:21 says I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus". When you walk in newness of life, your past may try to define you, but you can say "not true”… Colossians 1:21 says I am seen by God as holy, blameless, and above reproach". When you walk in newness of life, you may be tempted to seek man or "things" to make you feel secure and complete but you can declare "not true”…Colossians 2:10 says I am complete in Christ".

Realize that with newness of life there is power, authority, vision, purpose, and security. Once you accept the newness of life you have a new responsibility. There are some people that were with you in 2010 that can't be with you in 2011. There are some places that you went in 2010 that you won't be able to go in 2011. There are some things that you allowed yourself to take in through your eyes and your ears that will not be allowed in 2011. There are some words and conversations that you had in 2010 that you won't be able to have in 2011. There are some things (lies) that you believed about yourself and about God that you will have to combat with the truth in 2011.

2011 doesn't have to be a year where you struggled with the same things you struggled with in 2010. It's time for us to seek those things which are above, to lay aside our old man and the old life, and make a decision that we are going to walk in newness of life. I know it breaks God's heart to see us still living the "old life" after claiming that He is our Lord. So let's respond to the cry of His heart for the New Year and walk with Him. Let's leave the old behind and pursue the new!!!