Acts 5:20   "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life."

  

The apostles have been put in prison for their testimony but an angel of the Lord came to them, released them and spoke these words. It is an ongoing commission to keep on telling the good news. And what is this good news? It is about a new life!

 

Observe the word ‘life'. It's not about new Sundays, not about new Sunday practices of going to church. It's not about going to a meeting twice a week with other Christians, it is all about an entire life. It is about having your whole life transformed. Jesus spoke of it as being ‘born again' (Jn 3:3), being born of the Spirit (Jn 3:8). It is God transforming our old life and bringing a new relationship, a new power and a new purpose to life. Previously we worshipped ourselves. Now we worship God. Previously we were powerless to overcome sin. Now we have the power of the Holy Spirit to lead us in goodness. Previously our ambitions in life were to exalt us. Now our purpose in life is to be led by God to do His will, to be fulfilled in His purposes for us and to bless those we encounter in life.

 

Indeed this is not about an occasional act of worship on a special day; this is about total life transformation. If you haven't seen it as that, you probably haven't experienced it and are still living the old life described above. It's time to be born anew.