Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV)
From https://jmichaelrios.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/butterflylifecycle.gif |
In Second Corinthians 5:17 we read about how we are a new
creation in Christ and how old things are gone and all things are new…this is
never more apparent than in the days and weeks surrounding Easter and
particularly more so on Easter Day. Jesus transforms the whole of creation.
Jesus transforms people!
From http://www.idio.net/sites/default/files/u19/newcreation-handsplant-logo.jpg |
As winter turns into spring, we can vividly see new life
emerging from last fall’s dead foliage—a visual reminder of what happens in our
lives when we surrender them to Jesus Christ, asking Him to forgive our sins
and dwell in our heart. In the whole of creation, if we have eyes to see, new
growth springs to life, growing, changing, and developing before our very eyes.
An example of this transformation is seen the process of a caterpillar
transforming into a butterfly (see photo above). It is a process—a slow
process—the end results are beautiful and worth the work and wait.
From https://movingnc.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/daffodils_in_snow.jpg |
The musical Godspell
brings this concept to life, along with several additional themes from the New
Testament (with a heavy 1960s-1970s feel). Early in the musical, the cast
members paint each other’s faces (clowning)—demonstrating how we can be fools
for Christ (1 Corinthians 4:10 read here), as well as how people become a new creation in
Christ, this is shown when they remove the robe covering their clothing. Eventually,
they start dancing to the upbeat music that has been playing softly in the
background—slowly increasing in volume. All of this shows the changes that
occur inwardly (and outwardly) in the new believer, as well as how the things
of God seem foolish to men (1 Corinthians 2:6-16—particularly verse 14 read here).
From http://christianitymalaysia.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jesus_new_robe_man.jpg |
The old has gone and the new has come! How amazing is this
thought?! God makes us new, if we
allow Him to; we are transformed (a
transformation that continues until our death) through God’s work within us—into
the person God has ordained us to be from the very beginning. As we let God
work on us—not fighting that work (it can be painful at times!)—we will find
that God will lead us places we never dreamed we would go; asking us to do
things we never dreamed we would or could do. Life with God can be a great
adventure! Hold on tight!
From http://christianstt.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/New-creation-in-Christ.jpg |
In what ways did you change when you invited Jesus into your
heart? What changes are you sensing the Lord is still calling you to make in
your life?
What changes have you seen in others who have invited Jesus into
their heart and life?
For those of you who have Jesus Christ as Savior, what is
your testimony?
Spend some time reflecting on these changes this week.
Please join with me in prayer:
Lord and Savior, thank You for
making all things new. We marvel at and praise You for the new creatures we
have become in You. We celebrate new Christians who are transformed through
accepting Your amazing gift of salvation. We continue to pray for the salvation
of those who don’t yet have a saving relationship with Jesus that they would
come to see their need and ask Jesus into their heart and life— forgiving their
sins — making them a new creation in Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
From My Heart to Yours,
Kim
P.S. To my readers, it came to my attention that those of
you who read my blog through email didn’t get the full post, titled Salvation. To read the full post please
click here Salvation.
Should this happen in the future, please click on the title in the email to be
directed to the blog post. Thank you!
Yes! A new creation in Christ Jesus! And He is still working on me, Kim, but I have complete trust that the work God has begun, He will be faithful to complete. Love and blessings!
ReplyDeleteMartha, thank you for stopping by and commenting. Yes, He is faithful to complete the work He has begun in us. Trusting God is important but not always easy.
DeleteLove and blessings!