A BRAND-NEW MAN

“So, when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.”– Acts 28:4

REFERENCE:

Acts 28:1-6

Often, people will name you by your past experiences and expect you to suffer for an offense of the past. However, God is not like that; He can take the worst of men and turn them into the best of men. He can turn a terrorist into an evangelist; He can so remove a man from his past so that nothing around him looks like his yesterday. He can make you a brand-new man.

Paul recently escaped being shipwrecked, only to swim safely to the island of Malta and be bitten by a viper. Although unacquainted with Paul, by witnessing this mishap, the natives of Malta reasoned that he was a murderer who needed to atone for his sins with death. In a way, they were right because Paul once persecuted and killed Christians. However, knowing his past had been redeemed by the blood of Jesus, Paul shook off the viper and suffered no harm.

The Maltese were quick to label Paul based on their perception of him and the pattern they witnessed in his life. People will call you names because of a relenting negative pattern, a setback, a delay in putting your life together, who you were in school, or what you did when you were in their group. Do not accept it. God has redeemed you in Christ. You have a new identity and a new label. You are loved, redeemed, favored, anointed, fruitful, and successful. 

Many Christians forget they are a brand-new man in Christ, so the devil takes advantage of them. He harasses them and makes them bear unnecessary guilt and the consequences of their past actions. Psalm 49:20 says, “A man who is in honor, yet does not understand, is like the beasts that perish.” You are no longer a slave to your past. You were delivered from sin, redeemed from shame, translated from darkness to light, and a partaker of God’s divine nature.

The high priest, Joshua, was accused relentlessly by satan. He accused him before God because of his filthy garments. However, God intervened; He rebuked satan, removed Joshua’s filthy clothes, and dressed him in righteous garments. He would not allow satan to label His priest as unclean. Do you know who you are in Christ? When next the devil comes and tries to inject his venom of blame into you, shake off the serpent and say, “No Satan, I am a brand-new man.”

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL STUDY

II Corinthians 5:17, Zechariah 3:1-5 & Colossians 1:13-14.

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PRAYERs:

+ I put on my new identity in Christ; I am no longer a slave to my past or fears.

+ I will not be held liable by satan for anything in my past. I will not suffer the consequences of yesterday’s errors or my parents’ indiscretions.

+ Declare: I am a brand-new man; beloved, favored, anointed, successful, loved by people, surrounded by goodness, and protected by God.