Saved When I Was 13? (Part 4)

New Life Is Inconvenient; and That’s the Point

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

New life is disruptive. It interferes with habits. It exposes relationships. It ruins comfortable sin. That is why many people prefer assurance without regeneration. But Scripture does not allow that category. If anyone is in Christ, something new exists. Not theoretically. Actually. Direction changes. Desires change. Tolerance for sin erodes. This does not mean perfection. But it does mean war.

John does not soften this: those who claim to know Christ while walking in darkness are lying. That is not unloving. That is merciful clarity. New life changes your relationship to sin. You no longer make peace with it. You no longer defend it. You may fall, but you do not settle.

Obedience becomes necessary, not to earn salvation, but because Christ now reigns. Love for Christ produces submission to Christ. Love for the world fades. Not instantly. Not perfectly. But undeniably.

The flesh hates this. It wants Christ as Savior without Christ as Lord. Scripture refuses that split.

If your life remains entirely compatible with your former sins, your former loves, and your former priorities, Scripture does not comfort you. It confronts you.

So ask plainly:

What has Christ’s lordship actually cost you?