Gregg's Rest Stop (Brand New, Not Improved)

Published: Mon, 08/20/12

Gregg's Rest Stop

August 20, 2012

Journey in Christ

Brand New, Not Improved

Be renewed in the spirit of your mind,

and put on the new man

which was created according to God,

in true righteousness and holiness.

(Ephesians 4:24)

Salvation includes the forgiveness of our sins. The stain of sin has been washed away by the blood of the Christ.

However, God has also dealt with the source of sin - our sinful hearts! God spiritually united us with Christ to crucify and bury our old spiritual hearts and to give us new hearts united with Christ in His resurrection!

The Greek words for creation and created in original manuscripts for the above verses mean that God has re-created us out of nothing to be brand new people! This is in contrast to our English word create that means, for example, to create an artwork using existing materials.

Therefore, God has not changed us to be better people, He has re-birthed us in His dear Son to be brand new people! We have the same old bodies and the same unique personalities. However, at the spiritual core of who we are, we are new creations in Christ!

NOT IMPROVED, BUT BRAND NEW!

The Greek word for new in the above verses (kainos) means to be brand new. This is in contrast to the Greek word for the word new that means a newer version of the same thing (neos). This world is based on this latter use, e.g., a new and improved product.

The old me passed away in Christ through His cross. The new me was re-born in Christ through His resurrection!

So, we have not been mended, we have been made new by our Creator. I love what John Wesley said: "Only the power that makes a world can make a Christian." Isn't that great?!

We have not just made up with God by being forgiven by Him after we tell Him we are sorry for our sins. He has made us brand new!

The photo below reminds me of my new birth resting in the strong arms of God my Father and Creator! You see, each of now is his child through a re-birth, a re-creation.

NOT A NEW LEAF, BUT A NEW LIFE!

To be in Christ according to 2 Corinthians 5:17 (above verse) means to be united with Christ's life. The Holy Spirit testifies over 160 times in the New Testament of our being united with Christ by being in Christ.

We have not turned over a new leaf, we have been transformed into a new life united with the life of Christ! At the core of who we are is a new spiritual heart united with the life of Christ.

So, we are not patched-up versions of our old sinful selves, we are perfect reflections of the life of Christ. We live can choose by faith to live from the inside out. We can choose to live out of Christ's life in our new hearts!

CLOSING

I am convinced that if all Christians see the biblical truth of how miraculously new we really are in Christ, we would transform this world in a day. Journey in Christ exists to bring awareness of God's great good news of miraculous life in Christ, which is the essence of discipleship.

In Christ with you!

The Greek word in this verse for behold (idou) is a spontaneous jubilation and also a command that means: "Look and see for yourself! Do it now! Don't delay! Lo and behold!" A.k.a, "Hot diggity dog!" :)

Have you ever joyfully exclaimed by faith "Behold! I am truly a new creation in you dear Jesus!" so that you can live by faith in beholding Christ in all of His glory?

About

Discipleship through

Counseling

Teaching

Training

Gregg Gibbons

Pastoral Director

Michael Chalmers

Training Director

Kellie Boggs

Fellowship Director

Joy Gibbons

Ministry Assistant and women's ministry coordinator

Carole Blyth

Board member and women's ministry coordinator

Randy Garrick

Board member and Elder Holly Ridge Baptist Church

Paul Crews

Board member and Pastor Mountain Creek Baptist Church

Journey in Christ website link

Personal website link

Partnership

I believe with all my heart that ministry is through relationships.

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you for your partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:3, 5).

YouTube link below of my ministry commissioning service that included testimonies from several partners, including Bobby Richardson, former 2nd baseman for the NY Yankees.

3-minute discipleship video

Please contact me to learn more about partnering with me. I'd love to hear from you!

Ministry News

Next 8-month Advanced Discipleship Training to start January 2013.

Gregg teaches freedom from anger through Christ at the Haven of Rest mission in Anderson, SC Mondays 6:00-6:45 pm. You are welcome to attend with Gregg anytime!

Gregg is mentoring men and couples in an office at Holly Ridge Baptist Church in Simpsonville SC and at an industrial plant in Duncan SC.

Michael is mentoring men and couples in an office provided by Mountain Creek Baptist Church, Pendleton Street Baptist Church,and Earle Street Baptist Church in Greenville SC.

Carole and Joy, along with 8 ladies trained through Journey in Christ, are providing more discipleship training to female employees at an industrial plant in Aug 15 through Oct 3. A glorious time of transformation.

Michael and I taught the third set of sessions for our 8-month Advanced Discipleship Training August 8-11. A lot of biblical revelation occurred in the students.

Michael will be teaching a couples class for Mountain Creek Baptist Church in Greenville.

Michael will be leading a small discipleship group for Earle Street Baptist Church in Greenville this Fall.

Journey in Christ will be coordinating two teaching events by Dr. John Best on August 21 and 28 at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Moore, SC. John is an advisor for Journey in Christ. John is former professor of Greek at Dallas Theological Seminary.

Gregg is hoping to teach a Grace Life Conference Sept 27-29 with a focus on Grace in the Workplace. Please pray.