2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Even though we are only physically born once, I have come to think of being born in Christ as something which involves a process. It involves growth and transformation which only comes through continued relationship with God. Being born is not enough. It is the start of our walk with Christ. There have certainly been years of my life which have resulted in little growth. But there have been years of substantial growth, as well.
Heavenly Father, you have helped me grow. You have been the transforming force and energy behind my very existence. I am thankful for being born into life with you. It was so long ago, I do not remember when it actually happened. You called to me when I was very young. I pray I will please you in some way. I am so thankful. Amen
Becky, transforming
2 Corinthians 5:17 Paul needed to constantly remind the people of Corinth of this reality. They had many false prophets trying to teach them differently. Over and over again his words were to reassure them of this rebirth of themselves. If you now belong to Christ or in Christ as some versions word it, you are now a new person. You now have faith in Jesus and your sins are forgiven. The old you is gone and a new believer has benne reborn. Prayer: Gracious God, Thank you for Paul’s words and the reassurance he gives new believers, and this old one. Amen
2 Corinthians 5:17
It’s always a pleasant surprise when 2 or more readings for a day support each other. My daily devotion by Chambers for today references John 3:3 the same as Becky’s verse yesterday and of course the message is the same – rebirth. Chambers says that “it provides a freshness all the time in thinking, talking and living—a continual surprise of the life of God. Staleness is an indication that something in our lives is out of step with God.” This is an interesting way of judging whether we are feeling the rebirth in Christ.
Dear Lord it is easy to become stale with all the distractions in our lives. Our daily contact with You, through meetings and…
2 Corinthians 5: 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!
Believing in Jesus Christ makes all of us reborn. We are all given an opportunity to become a completely new person. By our faith we become a part of God’s Family. Our old life is replaced by the new life of faith through the Holy Spirit. We are the heirs of the kingdom of God.
Dearest Lord, thank you for granting me the rebirth of my faith. You have given me the opportunity to become a new person In Christ and a better understanding of You. Jesus Christ is my Savior and I thank you for sendin…
2 Corinthians 5:17
I know Christ today— his Grace has changed me. I am a new creation. The old hasn’t stuck around and watch me die. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. The fact that I have been transformed into a new creation doesn’t have anything to do with my sins, failures, and beliefs. Transformation in Jesus is based on his power, not mine. Truth is based on his sacrifice, not my actions. I am a new creation totally and completely by the grace of God, with nothing to do with what I did or didn’t do. I have never lived with the attitude of how great I am. Don’t see myself great because …
2 Corinthians 5:17
Several years ago I attended the graduation ceremony at His Mansion. They were launching five young people back into the world after a tightly cloistered year. The theme verse for the ceremony was 2 Corinthians 5:17. For these five people, rebirth accurately describes their state. After being completely broken by drugs, alcohol and other maladaptive behavior, they committed a year of their young lives to living and working at His Mansion, going nowhere else and committing their life to Christ. Not all who start the program finish, but for those who do, their new birth Is celebrated with family and true friends they have not seen in a year. I think of this wonderful ministry every time…