The Essence of the New Way to Live

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The most natural thing in the world is to desire life go well for us. Once we know God through Christ, the most natural thing in the world is to live in a way that we hope and pray will result in the blessings we want. We try to “get it right so life will work”. But that’s what Paul called the Old Way of the written code” (see Romans 7:6).

It’s wrong on two counts. One, it values blessings from God over friendship with God. And that is idolatry. It’s coming to God and saying, “Stack the presents under the Christmas tree. If you show up too, that’s fine, but it’s not necessary.” Two, it cheapens the demands of the law into a set of principles. If we follow those principles “reasonably” well, we assume God will see to it our lives work “reasonably” well.

But God’s demand is perfection. Only Jesus passed the test. And now, in His death and resurrection, “…we have been released from the law to serve in the NEW WAY of the Spirit” (Romans 7:6). Now, with the Old Way gone, we have the opportunity to know God better in the middle of every situation, good or bad, wonderful or terrible, and that is the FIRST THING desire in the regenerate heart. The longing for every other blessing (good kids, good health, good income, good ministry, good reputation, etc.) fits into the category of SECOND THING desires. Living with first things first and second things second is the New Way to live.