Session 1

Are you living like you’ve been made new?

From Letters of Paul: 30-Day Bible Study

Pop psychology says we can overcome our problems and be a better version of ourselves. If you’ve ever tried that, you know it’s exhausting. 

The Gospel tells us the opposite. The Gospel says we were born into brokenness we can’t shake. This brokenness is called sin, and it separates us from our Father in heaven. 

Jesus’ death and resurrection removed the power of sin once and for all. Jesus says when we believe this and put our trust in Him, our sin is removed, and we are made new. 

We don’t get a renovated life, we get a new life with the Holy Spirit living inside each of us. That’s what Paul describes, writing,  “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). 

To be “in Christ” is to receive a new identity. This is why Paul was so upset about Peter separating himself from the non-Jewish Christians. The rules that separated the two groups no longer applied. Peter was doing more than just being rude; he was being someone he wasn’t.  

Like Peter, we can forget that we are not who we used to be. When that happens, it shows up in our actions. Psalm 2 reminds us that all of our plotting and striving are in vain. Jesus did the hard work for us. He made it possible for us to call God "Father." 

Rather than trying harder to change, Paul tells us to remember whose we are. We are children of God, made new, set free. That’s how God sees us. The more we believe this about ourselves, the more our actions will reflect this reality — instead of who we used to be. 

Reflect: 

• Reread Galatians 2:20 as if it was written by you. How does it feel to know that Jesus gave Himself up for you?  
• Is there any area of your life where you still find yourself trying to “get right with God”? How does today’s reading change your approach?