Brand new, not better.

There’s ‘new’ and there's ‘better’ but I like new better...

Photo by Jasper Boer on Unsplash

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT).

Look a’chew—New!”

New? Yes. Fresh. Novel. Original. A kainos being! New in the sense that you're NEW. Not updated, not improved, not some revised edition. No.

Thank God the “new birth” is not some kind of update. Sometimes, updates are not all they seem to be. They say “improved version” but you wish they hadn’t tampered with it. Why? Because now, it’s more complicated (have you seen WhatsApp’s most recent update? I’m… unamused, for lack of a better word).

So, no, not that kind of new, I'm talking brand new, not better. For my Nigerian audience, “Osara not Tokunbo.”

A breath of fresh air, a heavy weight lifted off one's shoulders, or the first rays of dawn piercing through the darkness all fall short in comparison to the new birth experience. Although the experience varies in intensity and manifestation for each individual. Yet, we can reckon that the spiritual awakening brings about conviction of sin, overwhelming joy and uncommon peace, among others.

However, don't we, who have been made anew, behave unbecomingly by choosing quick-fixes instead of pursuing holistic transformation in Christ? Tsk. Let's talk about that.

It’s “Quality time,” so can we talk about some honest instances?

Furious, it only made sense to spew demeaning words you would later regret at others who are not the real problem (Ephesians 6:12).

Broke, get-rich-quick schemes seem like a better option rather than engaging the principles for kingdom wealth including generosity, long-term financial planning and prudent investment.

Yearning for sexual satisfaction (or more informally, “horny”) you seek to exploit God-given desires by engaging the act of self-stimulation, or settling for pornography.

Longing for companionship, you delve into a romantic affair that was all wrong to begin with—a quick-fix to rid yourself of the pressure from those who aren't going to be in the relationship with you.

The list is not exhaustive. We all miss the mark at some point, settling for quick-fixes, living short of God's plan and design.

Moreover, our morally depraved world presents us everyday with many of these joy-robbing, unhealthy and unhelpful quick-fix options, either consciously or unconsciously. Quick fixes and instant gratification fit like a hand in a glove. None of which will address the underlying problem and the resultant emptiness after indulging the greed, lust, or pride. They over promise but under-deliver, here today, gone tomorrow. Pfftttt.

Someone may say, “it's not like l have a lot of options. It is what it is. I gotta do what I gotta do.”

Well, maybe you should ask yourself what things you consider an option in the first place. You know, when I stopped considering some wrong choices as potential options, the probability of indulging them declined; they lost their deceptive ‘appeal.’

Say you're writing an exam and you're presented with options A, B, C, you need not search for an option D when your answers fall within the confines of what you're already given (A, B, C). In the same vein, any option that isn't within the confines of a God-centred life is an option D. D for DEAD.

In addition, what's the point of settling for a relief that contradicts our new identity, when we can experience “times of refreshing” by giving ourselves unreservedly to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit? The new creation life isn't one we can adapt to by succumbing to “better” options or quick fixes as opposed to transformation and its cohorts—renewing our minds (Romans 12:2) and growing in the knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

Finally, we don't have to live as though we're hanging on a thread—more aware of our mistakes than our Maker; our sins than our Saviour. Rather, ALL we need (the power and desire) to live a life of godliness has already been provided through our knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 1:3). Herein lies a liberating truth that shatters those needless frustration.

Remember, in Christ, you're new in the sense that you're NEW. Not updated, improved or revised. Therefore, choose holistic transformation by the Spirit over the quick-fix options of the world.

Until next time…

Don't forget to share with others that need to ‘new better’😌.