NEW LIFE
Bernadette Keene
Today’s Scripture: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV
Theme: The Lord sanctifies us to bring us from death to life.
NEW CREATION
When we trust Jesus as our Savior, everything that kept us separated from God is washed away. We have been made new and have been forgiven of our past. Becoming a new creation in Christ means that our souls are sealed, and we are promised to be in heaven with Jesus when we pass away. However, it does not mean that we will not have troubles in this life. We must walk out our faith daily; this process is called sanctification. As our relationship with Christ grows, we should begin to view the world differently, taking on a heavenly mindset. The way we love family, friends, and even our enemies should begin to change. We should begin to see ourselves differently and make better choices as we adopt a new way of thinking that aligns with God’s Word.
THE PROCESS
The process of being made new in Christ reminds me of the process a caterpillar goes through to become a butterfly in metamorphosis. Once a caterpillar is fully grown, it forms into a chrysalis and undergoes significant internal changes. The caterpillar’s old body breaks down inside the chrysalis and begins to reform. The caterpillar becomes a new creation and emerges into a beautiful butterfly. Once this change happens, there is no going back, only moving forward into new life. In the same way, as we mature our nature changes. We are naturally prone to sin and selfishness. Jesus is holy and self-sacrificing. As we learn to follow His example, habits, and rely on the same power He did, we are transformed to be more like Him and less like our old selves. The change is on both the inside and the outside.
Make It Personal: Are you experiencing the immense joy and satisfaction of being made new today? Being in the world but not of the world is an upward journey filled with the joys and pains of life but knowing that we get to spend eternity with Jesus should give us a deep since of gratitude even in the painful moments’ life.
Pray: Thank You, Lord, for making me new. I pray that, even in trying times, I can have a heart of gratitude as I focus on sharing the hope, peace and love that only comes with knowing you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: Galatians 2:20, Isaiah 43:18-19
Weekly Memory Verse: “Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you.” Leviticus 20:8, ESV