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In Jesus Christ, God has given us a new beginning. In this new beginning, there is also a new way of life.

Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

If we are in Christ, then our lives should reflect this new way of life

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 7:19-21 NIV

Jesus is telling us in this passage that believers are recognized by their fruit. If you are not bearing good fruit then something is wrong. He makes it clear that even if you profess to call Him Lord, you may not enter the kingdom of heaven. It is only in doing His will that you that you are able to enter the kingdom of heaven.

So... with our new beginning, our previous way of life should have passed away, and we should no longer be the same. We should be living in a new way.

We should be Christ-like in everything we do and say, and even if we make a mistake, we should realize it, and correct our ways. We should be the loving and compassionate peacemakers He called us to be.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:9-10 NIV

We should not go along with the hard-of-heart ways of the world.

Before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, they were told of a new way that they should live. In Deuteronomy 26:1-11, the Lord sets before them some changes in their lifestyle. They were no longer to be the shepherds of their earlier days. Now they were to become farmers. Their new life was to be based upon agriculture. They were no longer to be nomadic herdsmen with no real roots. They were to settle down and till the soil, produce abundant crops, and take root in the land.

They were not being told to bring their produce from the ground with a sacrifice for their sins. There isn't even a mention of sin or the need of a sacrifice. All that is expressed is that the fruit of their labor will be accepted. It's not being accepted as a substitute for the sin offering. It's being accepted because those who plant and grow in the Promised Land should be of one heart and mind with the Lord.

So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders. He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, O LORD, have given me." Place the basket before the LORD your God and bow down before him. And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household.
Deuteronomy 26:8-11 NIV

The expression “a land flowing with milk and honey” means a place of plenty. It doesn’t mean actual milk and honey. It’s just another way of reinforcing the promise that they will have abundant crops. This is living in the love and will of the Lord.

This is living in unconditional and uncompromising love.

This is going back to expressing the same intent that was given to Adam in the Garden of Eden.

Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.
And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—
I give every green plant for food." And it was so.
Genesis 1:29-30 NIV

This was a time before there was any death, and the Israelites were being told that they, too, could return to such a way of life in the Promised Land, if they so chose.

Each and every one of us who is born again has been given a new heart and a way of discerning the true will of God.

Don't fight against what you know to be true.

Don't turn from what you know to be true because of what others say or the pressures they bring to bear upon you.

Let the love of God overflow from your heart and soul.

We have been given a second chance.

We have been given a new beginning for the rest of our lives, even to all eternity.

We have been given a new way of life.

Let us resolve to live in it.

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

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