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Thursday, September 25, 2014
“Salvation Changes Everything”
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Episode Transcript:
You’re listening to The New You, the daily broadcast for people who have been made new by the blood of Christ. I’m Robert Hatfield, and this is the one hundredth episode!
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Rom. 12:1-2).
Welcome to the one hundredth episode of The New You! This milestone is special to me for many reasons. First, I am thankful to God for blessing this daily podcast. When The New You began this past March, I wasn’t sure if I would even be able to produce daily content. If I was able to do it, I wasn’t sure anyone would want to listen. I’m thankful for you, and I hope that our getting together each day is a blessing to your life just like it is a blessing to mine.
Secondly, this one hundredth episode is special to me because I have a guest speaker who is about to come on for today’s episode. My brother, Bill, is in the seventh grade. Last night, he delivered his first devotional and extended the Lord’s invitation after Bible study at the East Hill church of Christ in Pulaski, TN. He did an incredible job! I want to play a portion of his devotional for you now because of how it relates to the new you. Here’s Bill Hatfield – my brother in the flesh and, I’m proud to say, my brother in Jesus – talking about salvation and what it does to our lives.
*** PREVIOUSLY RECORDED CONTENT … SORRY, NO TRANSCRIPT ***
Bill is exactly right. Salvation changes everything. In fact, listen to the way Paul put it over in Romans 12:1-2, which I read a moment ago.
First, there is to be a SACRIFICE. This is more than the initial act of baptism. This a life of sacrifice to the Lord. That’s why Paul says, “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Every day I make the decision all over again to be a living sacrifice to the Lord. It’s no longer about me, and it’s all about Him.
Second, there is to be a SANCTIFICATION. Paul continues by saying that we should not conform to our age, but we should be transformed. He’s talking about a renewal. I’m different now from how I used to be. I am a new me! That old man of sin is gone, and now I “have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him [Jesus] who created him” (Col. 3:10).
Notice that this renewal begins within. Paul says, “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Ephesians 4:23-24 echoes this sentiment where we are commanded to “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.”
Let’s wrap it up: One hundred episodes ago, I began this podcast by taking a close look at 2 Corinthians 5:17. It says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” I like that verse a lot.
Today, we’re still focused on that newness – the new you! Don’t let your Christianity become stale and stagnant. That’s not what Christianity is all about! Be renewed! Be a continual sacrifice to the Lord! Glorify Him in your body! Be the new you!
And tomorrow, the Lord willing, when you wake up from your sleep, decide all over again that you are going to be the new you just like you tried to be today.
I’m thankful for my brother, Bill, and for the reminder that he has given us today. Salvation changes everything. I’m different now from who I used to be, and I never want to go back.
Memory Verse: Let’s focus once again on this week’s memory verse, John 12:48. Can you say it with me? Let’s give it a shot:
He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day (John 12:48).
ANNOUNCEMENT: To commemorate this one hundredth episode of The New You, I want to do something special. What do you say that you and I work together to continue putting good, Christian content on the internet? There’s way too much other junk out there on the world wide web! So here’s what I want us to do. Next Monday, Lord willing, I want us to begin The New You 10 Week Challenge! Each Monday, I’ll ask you to post something good online that follows a theme. Then, you’ll use a certain hashtag to plug your thought into an ongoing conversation. Will you help me put good content online? It’s a simple plan, and it just might open some evangelistic doors for you, too! Join me Monday, the Lord willing, as we officially begin The New You 10 Week Challenge for a better internet!
OUTRO:
Thanks for joining today me on The New You. Want more of The New You? New episodes of this broadcast are released each weekday, Monday through Friday, from The Light Network. Also, I have one hundred episodes in the archives, with full episode transcripts at thelightnetwork.tv. There are several dozen other shows available on The Light Network, too! Go check them all out at thelightnetwork.tv.
I welcome your questions, comments, or suggestions for the show! My email address is robert@thelightnetwork.tv and my voicemail number is 903-26-LIGHT, that’s 903-265-4448. I’d love to hear from you!
This is The New You, I’m Robert Hatfield, and I hope you have a great day!