Beginning Anew

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creature;
The old things passed away;
behold, new things have come. (NASB)

Observation:

What the apostle Paul is pointing out to the new believer’s in Corinth is the inexhaustible and profound truth’s about man’s redemption through Christ Jesus our Lord. As believers of the Good News we all share in the security of forgiveness of sin and spared the final judgment of God; that we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ; that we will be resurrected into eternal life with Christ and receive our promised inheritance; and that we will also share in Christ’s divine nature.

Application:

What the human birth of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, brought to the entire world was a message of divine hope (John 10:27-28). The Lord knew that man could not redeem himself enough to walk in His presence, for we cannot control our sinful nature without God’s amazing grace and intervention. Once you humbly admit your rebellion against God’s will and ask Him to forgive you your sins and you promise to repent, your regeneration begins immediately. The Lord begins to open your eyes to those eternal truths that you have never seen, nor heard of; truths that will change the way you think about life and its purpose (Acts 26:18). And as your life is being transformed, your priorities, your value system and beliefs, the things that you love, and the plans that you have will gain an all new perspective—temporal things of this world will no longer control the way you live, instead, your new eternal perspective causes you to focus on the Creator, the God of Glory; the One who gave you life and the One you were fashioned after (Ephesians 2:10). God gives us a new beginning each and every day. We should, then, begin each day in thanksgiving, asking the Lord to continue His good works in us so that we will shine in His everlasting glory for all to see.

Prayer:

Thank You, O Lord, for leading me in truth. How wonderful it is to see this life through Your eyes. Indeed, the view is better and the journey more rewarding. Thank You for the hope and security You have given me, for without it I would be hopeless and lost.