"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin." (Romans 6: 1-7)

When a business fails, we often see it re-opened under the banner that proclaims, "Under New Management." This is not an unfamiliar situation to us. We see it very often and we understand what it means. Let us ,therefore, use our understanding of this example to draw some parallel conclusions about what it means when we say that we have a "new life in Christ." To this end, then, we want to ask the question: What is required to succeed under new management?

For man failure is always inevitable. Particularly when tasks are undertaken for which one does not have the proper knowledge. For example, would one undertake the repair of a carburetor if they didn't have the proper knowledge or tools to enable them to successfully accomplish the repair? Of course they wouldn't! They would be foolish if they undertook such a task. In the same manner the one uninformed in the ways of God is doomed to failure. The prophet Jeremiah tells us: " O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." (Jer. 10:23) So we see that we need God's direction. We cannot go it alone. God never fails and we need His direction if we wish to succeed. The Apostle Paul tells us in the book of Romans that all men have failed. He writes, " As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Rom. 3:10-23)

Properly viewed failure can arouse us to want to succeed. No one wants to be a failure. Paul understood this because at one time he persecuted the cause of Christ. He always remembered this throughout his entire life. Writing to the young preacher Timothy, he says: "And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Tim. 1:14-17)

The first step to be successful is to admit that one has failed. Too many people either knowingly or unknowingly are willing to fail, either because of laziness or apathy. On the other hand, the one who would succeed will do those things which  the failure will not do. It is a well established fact that the most productive salesman is the one who does those things which the lazy or indifferent salesman will not do because it may require special efforts. In the same manner, the one who would be a success in God's kingdom is the one who is willing to strive to please God.  James tells us, " But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." (Jas. 4:6-10)

In our earthly life we know what things we are doing wrong. We may procrastinate but deep within us we know why we have failed. Pride may keep us from admitting our failures, but, nevertheless, we do know when and why we fail. The one who has taken Christ into his life knows those things which God has said are wrong. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Cor. 6:9-11)

People make New Year Resolutions for many things and reasons. Usually, little or no consideration is given to the spiritual matters in one's life. It would be a good practice to consider this aspect of one's life and make a start on the road to success by resolving to amend our life and follow God's Word. We are told that the Scriptures are the complete fulfillment for anything for which we may have need . " All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (2 Tim. 3:16)

In business world only a fool would re-hire the manager who failed and who would fail again. If a business is to be re-organized to operate successfully, it is obvious that a new manager, with new ideas and changes would be necessary. In the same manner the one who has started a new life in Christ must make the necessary adjustments so that he doesn't fail again. We don't want to resurrect our failures. For just as we are told in Romans, "….just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in the newness of life." So it is that we would not want to resurrect our old ways which caused us to fail our God. If we would be successful and please God we must take control of our life. It is completely up to each of us. No one else can do it for you. Paul says that, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Gal. 2:20)