The New Has Come
Author:
February 15, 2024
The New Has Come
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Isn’t that such a refreshing, comforting thought?
Here in Texas, even though it’s still February, we’re starting to get glimpses of Spring. A warmer breeze when the sun is out, green patches of grass, flowers slowly creeping out of a cold slumber. I am SO excited! The newness, the freshness, and the breath of relief when winter ends and the world comes back to life in a beautiful way is so exciting.
Isn’t it cool that we get to have that experience every moment of every day as Christ followers? The way that Spring transforms everything around us is such a great representation of how Christ renews us. But, For those who have chosen to walk with Christ, this transformation is not just a wild concept, but our reality. It is the journey of becoming a new creation in Christ.
This idea of being “born again,” “renewed,” or “new creation” is the heart of our belief, and something that should influence everything we do and think. Again, "If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
But what does it truly mean to be a new creation in Christ?
Ultimately, it’s a journey of surrender. It requires laying down our burdens, our doubts, and our fears at the foot of the cross and allowing God's grace to wash over us each and every day. It means acknowledging our brokenness, and trusting that through Christ, we don’t have to stay that way.
It’s also not easy. There’s a reason the Bible tells us so many times that we have to take up our cross DAILY (Luke 9:23), and that His mercies are new EVERY MORNING (Lamentations 3:22-23). Not because God isn’t consistently good, but because we need the reminder all the time.
It means dying to ourselves every day, recognizing that we are inherently sinful, and in a constant battle with the desires of the flesh. The idea of being a new creation means that we must consistently fight back against our own sin nature, and fight for what God has called us to be.
So, as we walk into a new season of the year, let’s take this moment to praise God for how kind He is, to take our broken, sinful mess, and give us a million opportunities to shed our winter hearts, renew our minds, and walk in the newness He’s given us.
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