QT 5/27/2025 2 Cor 5:17–21, The new creation

2 Corinthians 5:17–21 (ESV) —

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

 

NOTE: If a person is in Christ, he is a new creation. Obviously, we do not have our new body yet, nor are our spirits in heaven yet, but something does change in our soul which is new. From personal example, I changed from the inside out. My attitude toward people changed. I was kinder, more forgiving, and less focused on self. It was both an overnight change (in that I noticed the differences) and a life-long change as I continue to grow in Christ and see more changes inwardly. Also, I am saying that some things are immediate and some things were very gradual, but the new creation is noticeable. If one comes to Christ when young, I don't know to what degree they see the immediate effects. Additionally, one's upbringing could be so superior, that in combination with an early conversion, the new creation is hardly noticeable. But I do think, at some point, one should see changes that come from within, or they should examine themselves to see if they are in the faith.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I a new creation? Have I seen a dramatic change in my life since I came into Christ?
2. Or am I just religious? Do I do things because I must, rather than because I want to?

 

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for the new creation aspect of my initial faith. I thank you that I saw very clearly a different person emerging. I thank you that I am still seeing that today. It seems the more time I spend in the word and communing with you, the more I continue to see.