Friday, 26 June 2020 2 Corinthians 5:1-21
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! -2 Corinthians 5:17
If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature - It is futile for anyone to profess following Christ, while still continuing to live in the flesh remaining unchanged in his heart and life, and dead in trespasses and sin. To be a new creation, Christ needs to dwell in our hearts! The old nature has to change- we were once slaves to sin, full of the self, pride and anger and other evils. But when we invite Christ into our lives, He makes a sweeping change in us-we walk from darkness into light!
When sin dominated our life, we were under the control of Satan. Ephesians 2:1-2 says: “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.” But when we decide to accept Christ Jesus into our lives, we accept His lordship and we become children of God. We are cleansed and set free by the precious blood of Jesus Christ and receive everlasting life. The “world-view” in us changes and we now look to the things which are eternal and not at the things which are seen. By His grace we seek to live a life of meekness and humility, wanting to please our Lord!
All things become new! God does not mend us but He makes us a new creation when we receive Christ. New changes come in our lives- a change in our pride and prejudiced attitude, a change in our dependence in rituals and ceremonies to make us right with God, etc. When we are made a new creation, God takes ownership of our very being. Therefore to be in Christ evidently means to be united to Christ by faith. We are to be in Him as a branch in the vine. We begin to draw our nourishment from the vine and begin to produce good fruit. "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."(John 15:4). We derive all that we need from Him. No matter how terrible our past looks like, God promises us that though our sins are crimson red, he will make it as white as snow. He will make us new!
When united with Christ by faith, our lives take a new direction. Our views, motives, principles and plans for life take a new turn. Our focus will be on our Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Our plans and purposes in life now belong to Christ. The change becomes so profound, so strong, so whole, and as unshakable as it was when God created everything from nothing.
God does not wish any of his creation to perish but desires that all be saved. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation (V.19). He has provided a way through his Son, Jesus Christ who was made sin for us, so we might be made right with God. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16). This new life in Christ can be yours too provided you are willing to believe and receive Christ into your life!
Prayer: Loving heavenly Father, I choose to proclaim my faith in Jesus Christ. May I be made a new creation in Him. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Listen: ‘I am a New Creation’