New Creations From 10/11/12
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:16-21
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Devotion:
We have been transformed into new creations says Paul in this scripture. I think if we are honest we would have to confess that we often do not feel like a new creation. Let us hear again verse 16: “16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.” This is our remedy, our escape route into the new creation. We must train ourselves to look beyond our neighbor’s flesh and even our own flesh to see the new creation that is growing there.
The act of believing on Jesus Christ for our salvation means that God is no longer counting our transgressions, trespasses, and debts. No longer do we need to be excessively burdened by our actions. We have been freed from the law of sin and death and transferred into the kingdom of grace and life.
Christ has reconciled the world to himself through his death and resurrection. He has put his mark on us in baptism. He feeds us through the Lord’s Supper. We have been instructed in the Gospel and so we are equipped and fully prepared to be ambassadors for Christ in this world.
As we have seen being an ambassador is not an easy or “safe” job. Ambassadors spend their lives in foreign lands. Not so much physically distant as spiritually distant. Our lives are to be as lanterns to show the light of Christ in a sin darkened world. Our speech among the natives is to be seasoned with salt. We are responsible in some way to preserve the spiritual land to which we have been called.
It will be impossible do what we are required to do for the Lord unless we become these new creatures. We have to believe that God wants us to be new creations and new ambassadors. Letting go of our old selves we need to open ourselves to new possibilities.
The message we are to deliver is none other than the Gospel message itself. Believe on Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, repent of your sins, become disciples and let God transform you into Ambassadors for Christ. May God have the glory. May Jesus help us in our transformation this day and forever more, Amen.
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