We know when we believed in Jesus Christ He exchanged His life for ours. He gave us His Spirit of life in exchange for our old dead spirit. We are now alive to Christ Jesus, alive to His Word, alive to His leading, alive to His love and grace. It is a whole new life and we are new creations.
Sounds so good. Almost too good to be true, right? I mean we still get caught up in that ugly sin stuff sometimes don’t we? We struggle with desire to study His Word and prayer time. We don’t feel like new creatures even though all this new stuff has been given to us. Do you feel like you are one with Jesus? Most Christians haven’t a clue what that’s like.
I lived as a believer like that for so many years because I didn’t understand the exchanged life. When Christ gave me His nature, His very own Spirit, it became possible for me to live a victorious life no matter the circumstances. Sure the struggles would be there, problems would come but the way I handled them could be different.
Exchanges Jesus made inside me:
Forgiveness for unforgiveness
Gentleness for anger
Joy for bitterness
Peace for jealousy
Love for hate
Prayer for wandering
His hand and heart for the world’s lies
There are so many more exchanges He made for you and me but think on these things and let me know if there’s one or two you are particularly thankful for. Do you still struggle with one? Would you like me and our community to pray for you?
I guess we all struggle with exchanges from time to time but I praise my mighty God that He provided a way to exchange my struggles for His strength even when I did not deserve it. And even today, right this minute as I struggle with the worries of life He has already taken care of my burdens. Now I need to live out of the exchange that’s already taken place and let Jesus be manifest in and through me. Amen and all praise and glory to Him.
Thanks to weddings-paradise for the image.
