A New Creation

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

Paul is attempting to teach the changes that take place in the life of one dedicated to following Jesus. His contrast is found in the truth  of being in Christ makes us a new creation, or a new creature. All the old life is gone, and Gods new creature is drastically different. 

When we present ourselves to Jesus in love and trust, his promise is for us to become new, changed from the old life of sin and everything being about self. The new life Jesus gives, comes with promises which we can count on being kept, assurances which bring peace to our hearts, and  truth which brings freedom. 

How sad when we outwardly give ourselves to becoming new, while holding on to the same old life that has proven to bring nothing but failure.  Listen to God's word and to the places where he would have us place the emphasis:

1. If anyone  -- that includes you and me.

2. Is in Christ -- a relationship so committed that Jesus actually lives in us. 

3. He is a new creation -- newness to take the place of the old. 

4. The old is gone -- forgiven and forgotten, what we have been is removed by Jesus' blood.

5. The new has come -- life is centered on God, and his love and grace become who we are. 

Remember, it is God who reconciles us to himself and gives us the ministry of reconciliation. We are his ambassadors to use the gift of our new life by sharing the gospel with others. 

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