2 Corinthians 5:1-21
Friday, 23 August 2024
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” –2 Corinthians 5:17
God promises to create a new being in you! 2 Corinthians 5:19 [NLT]says: “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them…”, which means God had put my sin on Christ so that I could be free and holy before Him. An exchange on the cross happened- the One who knew no sin became sin so I might be made right with God (2 Cor.5:21)—He took my sin so that I would be clean and be made a new creation!
To those who are made anew in Christ, God gives them a new heart: “Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh…” (Ezekiel 11:19). The new creation starts in the heart- where the transformation takes place! When we willingly cooperate with God in this process, He takes away those unwanted things from within and gives us a new heart, where He can write His word, so we walk in His ways.
The key verse says, ‘If anyone IS IN CHRIST’—bring your life within the terms of Christ Jesus, the only One who can take way our sin and connect us to God. Friend, if you haven’t become a new creation, invite Jesus Christ into your heart today.
The second part of the verse says, “old things have passed away”—it has perished, being crushed in the power of Jesus Christ. According to Romans 6:6, when we willingly let go of our old life, sin loses its power in our lives. Certain “old things”-unconfessed sin, may have roots to your life. Allow God to remove them, by bringing them to Christ, let Him cleanse you and give you a new heart and a new start!
The new creation is an amazing work of the Holy Spirit not based on our good works, but done by “washing of regeneration and renewing,” by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5) in the hearts of all who repent of their sins and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. This process of washing is carried out by the word of God by the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 5:26 – washing of water by the word). When this happens a new man with new desires is birthed. He has moved over from death to life, from being a sinner to a saint.
As we allow the God’s Spirit to dwell in our hearts, His ways become our ways, His thoughts become ours and His heart for a broken world becomes our concern too.
For this new relationship to be strengthened requires 3 actions from us:
· Commitment- A willingness to die to the old self daily! Jesus says in John 12: 24: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” A deliberate effort to say good-bye to the old ways is required, so that the new will take root!
· Consistency- Always stay within the boundary of God’s Word – which will ensure growth. Mark 4:26-29 shows us the stages of the growing seed. The farmer need only plant and take care of it; God is the one who makes it grow. You will grow if you are consistent in reading and studying God’s word.
· Character- A committed and consistent believer produces godly character - the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). Psalm 92:12-14 says, “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, ……Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God.” Maintain the godly character and it will help you flourish.
Friend, are you ready to experience this new creation within you? Jesus is ever ready to give you a fresh, new start!
Prayer: LORD Jesus, cleanse me from my old way of life and make me a new creation in You. Give me a new heart to know You and live for you. Amen.
Listen: 'I am a new creation'
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