New Creation

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Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 (ESV)

 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.

Devotion:

            In today’s post we consider this familiar verse from 2 Corinthians. We must, however, not let familiarity breed contempt. This passage has much to teach us about God and ourselves. The first words that jump out at us as we read this passage are, “in Christ.” What does this really mean? How can someone who lives 21 centuries after Jesus lived be said to be in Christ? The remainder of the passage will explain this mysterious phrase.

            Paul begins to unpack the meaning of this phase right away. “The old has passed away; behold the new has come.” So being in Christ must have something to do with changes that being connected to Christ brings about in a believer. Once we accept Christ, we are filled with the Holy Spirit, and we begin to have new desires and new priorities. Our old way of living no longer appeals to us as it once did. So, the new creation is entirely God implanted in our lives. It is not any work or merit which we have earned.

            We then learn from Paul that this is a gift from God. God has given a specific ministry to all who call on the name of Christ. That is to be about the business of proclaiming that God wants to be reconciled with us. God desires the death of our old selves so that the new creation can come into being within us. God has given us through Christ a message of his divine love for humankind. God depends on us to be conduits of this radical offer of acceptance and love that He has made through the live, death, and resurrection of His Son Jesus.

            God has offered to all the world His love and forgiveness through Christ’s atoning sacrifice. We as Christians are to offer this peace with God by telling others about this offer from God. Paul has already proclaimed that the only way to salvation is through Christ, and that the only way for someone to hear the message of salvation is to hear someone proclaiming it. Therefore, we who already believe must through word and deed reveal this reconciling word to the world.

Prayer:

            Lord God almighty, give us courage to be your witnesses to those around us who are perishing. Fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we may act and speak in ways that make your love for the world known. May we bring fame and fear of the Lord into the world through our lives. Teach us how to tell others about your tremendous offer of love and reconciliation you offer through what you accomplished on Calvary. Amen. 

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