Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

— Ephesians 4:24

At the invitation of a French church, one of my colleagues was able to travel to Europe. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for him, but the very long flight was rather difficult for him. He was thirsty and hungry, and yet he refused any food or drink from the flight attendants. The reason? He thought he would have to pay a lot of money for the food, and he had no extra money with him. He didn’t realize the food was already included in the price of the flight.

Many Christians are like my colleague. They do not realize that the price has already been paid.

As Christians, we are—so to speak—in a new system. We are no longer prisoners of our old lives. Every child of God has a new life in Jesus Christ. We have entered a new reality. In Christ, your old life has been put to death, and you are called into new life. You have received a new nature, conformed to Christ and pleasing to God.

This is good news for us all. Instead of feeling weak and powerless against our sinful nature, we can live into the new reality that Christ has paid for everything we need in order to be saved to new life. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live grateful lives that are filled with God’s righteousness and holiness.

Heavenly Father, sometimes I fail to remember how great your grace is in my life. Forgive me for those times, and give me the grace to embrace my new identity as your child. In Jesus’ name, Amen.