Ready:
“Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of his resurrection.” – Romans 6:4-5
Set:
Easter Sunday focuses on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But the impact of His resurrection goes beyond a once-a-year celebration. It’s a difference-maker in our day-to-day life as a coach or athlete. Why? Because when we respond in faith to Jesus, we are no longer who we were before. Christ’s resurrection makes us new.
Before coming to Jesus, we were not in pretty good shape with just a little help needed from Him. We were “dead in [our] trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). Though physically alive, we were spiritually dead because we rebelled against the Holy God. We were facing an eternity of being separated from this God who loves us and created us to be in relationship with Him.
But God came to us in His Son, Jesus Christ. Romans 6:4-5 tells us that through faith in Christ, we are united with Him in His death—meaning, what Jesus accomplished through His sacrificial death for our sins is now applied to us. We are also united with Christ in His resurrection: what He accomplished in being raised to new life, triumphing over sin and death—this wonderful reality is now applied to us. As a result, “we too may walk in newness of life.”
This isn’t just any “life.” We have Christ’s life in us through our faith union with Him. As Paul says in Galatians 2:20, “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Consider this incredible truth: the new life you have is Jesus’ life: His presence, love, power, grace, wisdom, etc.
To “walk in newness of life,” then, means recognizing, embracing and living out of the life of Christ that is ours every day and in every situation. As we compete or coach, we pray for Christ’s life to flow through our every word and action. When we face adversity, we trust Christ’s life to saturate our attitude and response. Whether we experience success or failure in our athletic endeavors, we genuinely want Christ to be exalted in us. Moment by moment, our greatest desire is that others would encounter Christ through us.
What we celebrate on Easter is an everyday difference-maker. We have new life through faith in our Risen Lord. Compete, coach and walk through each day in this newness of life.
Go:
How does knowing you have new life through Christ’s resurrection encourage you?
In what specific situations this week do you need to focus on “walking in newness of life” by Christ’s power and grace?
Workout:
Overtime:
“Father, thank You for the new life I have in Christ because You raised Him from the dead. Please help me to live and compete more fully out of the life of Christ in me. I desire to walk in this newness of life. Amen.”