New DNA in Jesus 新的DNA

[Dexu Xia]

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

Chris had his blood retested four years after his lifesaving bone marrow transplant. The donor’s marrow had provided what was needed to cure him but had left a surprise: the DNA in Chris’ blood was that of his donor, not his own. It makes sense, really: the goal of the procedure was to replace the weakened blood with a donor’s healthy blood. Yet even swabs of Chris’ cheeks, lips, and tongue showed the donor’s DNA. In some ways, he’d become someone else—though he retained his own memories, outward appearance, and some of his original DNA.

Chris’ experience bears a striking resemblance to what happens in the life of a person who receives salvation in Jesus. At the point of our spiritual transformation—when we trust in Jesus—we become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus encouraged them to reveal that inward transformation, to “put off [their] old self” with its way of living and to “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22, 24). To be set apart for Christ.

We don’t need DNA swabs or blood tests to show that the transforming power of Jesus is alive within us. That inward reality should be evident in the way we engage with the world around us, revealing how we’re “kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave [us]” (v. 32).

How has Jesus changed you inwardly? How does that inward reality show in the way you engage with those around you?

Jesus, thank You for making me new and giving me a new life in You.

. 穿上新人，这新人是照着上帝的形象造的，有真理的仁义和圣洁。—以弗所书4章24节

礼斯为了保住性命而接受了骨髓移植手术。四年后，他再做抽血检验，证实了捐赠者的骨髓继续发挥治疗功效，但也发现一件使他惊讶的事：他的血液中的DNA（脱氧核糖核酸）是属于捐赠者的，而不是他自己的。其实，这是很合理的，因为手术的目的是要用捐赠者的骨髓制造健康的血液，来取代病变的血液。然而，从礼斯的面颊和唇舌的检测中，也同样验出捐赠者的DNA。从某些层面而言，礼斯已成为另一个人，只保有记忆、外貌和一部分他自己的DNA。

礼斯的改变，与我们接受耶稣救赎而有的生命改变何等相似。从我们相信耶稣的那一刻起，我们的属灵生命就改变了，成为新造的人（哥林多后书5章17节）。保罗在写给以弗所信徒的书信中，劝勉他们要活出内心的更新，就是要脱去他们“从前行为上的旧人，……穿上新人，这新人是照着上帝的形象造的，有真理的仁义和圣洁”（4章22、24节）。众信徒要为基督而过圣洁的生活。

我们无需透过采检DNA或验血，来证明我们经历了耶稣改变生命的大能。当我们与人互动时，体现“以恩慈相待，存怜悯的心，彼此饶恕，正如上帝在基督里饶恕了[我们]一样”（32节），便能反映真实的内在改变。

耶稣如何改变你的生命？
你的为人处事如何体现这种内在的转变？

耶稣，谢谢祢赐给我新生命，使我因为祢而成为新造的人。
请帮助我“脱去”旧我，并能“穿上”祢的样式。