Our house was built in 1940. It’s got a large front living area, three small bedrooms, four tiny closets, hardwood floors, high ceilings, and wide trim—all hallmarks of little craftsman houses built in that era. It’s also got perpetual heating and cooling issues, plumbing problems, a roof that leaked, a kitchen desperate for renovation, and almost zero storage. More hallmarks of quaint older homes.
At some point in our house’s history, an addition was built on to the back of the house. The family room and a laundry/bathroom combo were added to give some modern conveniences and offer a private living space in the back rather than the front where windows line every wall. The addition has lower ceilings, flooring that doesn’t match the original hardwood, and completely different doors, trim, and lighting.
Though I love our home and the history of its scarred wood floors and unique layout, there are times I wish it had been addressed differently when the addition was constructed. The contrast in the flooring and ceiling heights makes it noticeably different from the original bones of the house. Sometimes I’d like to demo the whole thing and start over. Tacking on an addition to the back of the house didn’t really address all of the problems our old house has produced, especially in regard to plumbing and storage.
Sometimes we treat the pre-Christian life like a house that needs an addition. We tack on a room in the back, call it discipleship, and then resume life as normal—just with a little Jesus addition in the back. But when we examine the Scriptures and what the call to follow Christ entails, it’s an all or nothing beckoning. Jesus is not a helpful addition to your life. When you become a Christian, Jesus is your life.
Jesus is not a helpful addition to your life. When you become a Christian, Jesus is your life. Share on XWho We Used to Be
Before any of us came to Christ, we were enemies of God. Paul describes us in Colossians 1 as “alienated and hostile in your minds because of your evil actions.” We lived in a “domain of darkness.” We were living completely for ourselves in darkness, serving our sin, sprinting toward hell and happy to be doing so! We were hostile toward God.
What God Did Through Jesus
Thankfully, God did not leave us without hope. He desired for the gospel to be made known among us (see Col. 1:27), and He rescued us from that darkness that we lived in. He has made us alive in Christ, redeemed us, forgiven us, erased our certificate of debt and nailed it to the cross, and has reconciled us to Himself and to each other (Col. 1:13-14, 27, 2:13-14).
Who We Are Now
When we repent from our sins and believe that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross paid for our sin, that old life wrapped in darkness no longer defines us. We’re dead to that way of living and have been raised to newness of life in Christ. Paul says in Colossians 3:3, “For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God.” It’s not our same old life with something new and interesting added on to it. No, it’s a brand new life. And that life is anchored in the person and work of Christ. “When the Messiah, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory” (Col. 3:4). Paul calls us to put to death the old ways. It’s not clearing land for an addition but tearing down the house to the ground for the new work to begin. Instead of God’s enemies, we’re chosen, holy, loved, an called (Col. 3:12-15).
Completely New
Several years ago, a large home in our neighborhood caught fire and burned. The remaining structure was exposed, blackened, and severely damaged. Though the homeowners could have salvaged the least burned part of the house and reconstructed what they had, they chose to tear the whole thing down and start completely new. They tore down every blackened stud and built a new house from the ground up in the same lot. Because the neighborhood is an old part of the town’s historic district, the new house looks out of place. The style and materials are markedly different than those of the surrounding homes. It’s noticeable because of its newness.
This is what happens to us when Jesus saves us from sin and certain eternal death. He doesn’t just build on an addition to our lives and move in. He tears down the whole house and makes us completely new in and through Him. Every stud, joist, and footing is new. Outside, inside, basement, and attic—all new. And because of this new construction, we look different from the world around us. We are not who we used to be.
When it comes to following Christ, Jesus isn’t a room you add to your life that you sometimes spend time in. He is your whole entire life. And your life should be built around Him, His commands, His glory, His desires. The old infrastructure of your life has been obliterated. You don’t live in that house anymore.
Be Who You Are
Have we relegated Jesus to a back room that we only visit on Sunday mornings? Or does following Christ mean that our lives are built around Him, that we love what He loves, that the decisions we make and the words that we speak are seasoned with the goodness of Christ? Belonging to Christ has life-altering implications. Every detail of your should be infused with Christlikeness. Your life should not blend in so closely with the world around you that people can’t tell you’re completely new. If you belong to Christ, be who you are: His.
We shouldn’t compartmentalize our days and hours into secular and sacred. It all belongs to Christ, and everything we do must be done for Him and through Him with gratitude for what He has done for us (Col. 3:17). The way we work, rest, pursue entertainment, speak, think, make decisions, and react should be done as new people who belong to Jesus. He is our whole life. Not just a helpful addition that makes life a little lighter. We didn’t need a little light in the darkness. We needed to be rescued from the darkness. Thankfully, He wrecks what used to be and makes us completely new.
“So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on what is above, not on what is on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God. When the Messiah who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Glenna Marshall is married to her pastor, William, and lives in rural Southeast Missouri where she tries and fails to keep up with her two energetic sons. She is the author of The Promise is His Presence (P&R) and Everyday Faithfulness (Crossway), and Memorizing Scripture (Moody). Connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Ranelle says
Very timely.