By Evang. Joachim P. Erameh
A Christian is one who is a new creature in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” The moment one gives his or her life to Christ, there is supposed to be evidence to show that he or she is now a changed person. A Christian is different from a non-Christian or churchgoer because he or she is a new creature in Christ.
If you claim to be a Christian and you are still manifesting your old self, your Christianity is in serious doubt. Galatians 6:15 says, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.”
In those days, in our local churches, believers often gave testimonies of how they were living in sin and Christ saved them. But the testimonies these days are more about prosperity and breakthrough, some of which do not even glorify God.
How do you know those who are truly in Christ? By their testimonies and lifestyles. Apostle Paul said, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Timothy 1:12-13).
Whenever a person becomes a Christian, the old life of sin passes away and is replaced with the new life in Christ. The person no longer lives unto himself, but unto Christ. Apostle Paul said, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Dear reader, are you a new creature in Christ? Do you have evidence of your new life in Christ? 2 Corinthians 13:5 days, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” If you are living in sin, repent and give your life to Jesus Christ before it is too late.