our life, and His nature now belongs to us, released in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. We read in Colossians 3:
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
A change in identity results in a change in action. And, we have the capacity to, as the Scripture says, "put to death" those earthly activities that do not represent God's best for us. God gives us guidelines not to keep us in bondage, but to set us free - free to live in the Spirit, free to experience what He has in store for us. So, that's what is in store for the believer in Christ. We can rejoice in our new life and realize that we have died with Him, and we live in Him!
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In 2nd Corinthians 5, we read about the change of identity we encounter when we accept Jesus as the Lord of our lives:
14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
It's not often that you will find positive spiritual news on the entertainment website TMZ, but it has reported that former Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston, now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL, and his girlfriend, Breion, were baptized together at a Pro Athletes Outreach event in Colorado Springs, which is an annual event that brings together hundreds of NFL players. You can actually see a video on the website.
The report says that the event is geared toward couples -- who pray together, attend workshops together and listen to different religious and motivational speakers.
Kurt Warner ran a seminar, and other stars attending included Antonio Cromartie and Brian Hartline.
The Sporting News ran a story, which included his girlfriend, Breion Allen's picture on Instagram, with the caption: "Last night I accepted Christ into my life for the first time. So thankful for this #PAO experience for helping me grow closer in my faith and to be around people trying to do the same."
Great news, indeed. As the Sporting News story reported: "The Buccaneers quarterback took another step in the right direction this week..." As perhaps you're aware, the former Florida State quarterback has been dogged by negative news.
We know that accepting Christ as the Lord and Savior is more than a step in the right direction. An authentic salvation experience means that the heart is changed - a person is a new creation.
Now the journey begins. And, a word of caution to Jameis and Breion - get discipled!! I think it is very dangerous to place new believers on a pedestal and expect them to live a glowing Christian life without the proper training. And, that is a peril when you have someone who is in the public eye.
The apostle Paul was rather famous in his day, but he did not go into the public ministry upon his
Damascus Road experience. He wrote in Galatians 1:
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace,
16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,
17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.
Now, I think there is a principle here - there was a waiting period here. My point is that we have to guard against placing expectations on new believers, when they merely need to study God's Word and grow in grace. Jameis doesn't need to be going out giving his "testimony" when that testimony is being shaped. Paul didn't immediately start talking about Damascus - he set out to be a disciple.
And, this underscores the importance of spiritual growth. Walking the aisle or getting baptized is the entry point - it shows that someone has asked the Lord into his or her heart. But, discipleship is critical for new Christians...and for each of us. You can't just rest on that entry-level act when God is calling you to so much more. That first-time decision needs to be turned into a long-time faith walk.
But, we don't need to underestimate the significance of what has taken place in a believer's life. That prayer of faith accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior has tremendous power, opening the door for the Holy Spirit to come into a person's heart and begin the process of change from the inside out. And, the act of baptism presents a wonderful picture of the newness of life. All believers can reflect on that moment that it happened for us and be thankful about the work of God in our lives in bringing us to Himself.
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