“What’s New?”
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
There’s the old joke about a lady named Jane who was taken to the hospital for an operation. She was scared of dying, so she said, “Lord, is this it? Am I going to die?” The Lord said, “No, Jane, according to my records you’re going to live for another 43 years and 12 days.” Jane said, “Thank you, Lord!” Realizing she had so much time to live, Jane decided to make the most of it. While she was in the hospital she decided to undergo a full makeover. She had liposuction, tummy tuck, a nose job, and a face lift - she even dyed her hair a new color. On the day she left the hospital, she was struck by a bus while crossing the street and was killed. As you can imagine, Jane was pretty upset when she stood before the Lord. She said, “Lord! You said I had another 40 years! What happened?” The Lord said, “Jane? Is that you? I didn’t recognize you!”
Many people go to extreme lengths attempting to capture a youthful outward appearance. They’ll go to their doctor looking to get a new nose, new face, or a new body. They’ll pay the beautician to get a new look. The problem of course is none of those changes last forever. Dyed hair is soon betrayed by grey roots. A tummy tuck will eventually un-tuck. A face life will eventually fall. A wrinkle remover will only delay the inevitable. External changes might make you feel better about yourself for awhile but they don’t last for very long. If you’re really looking for an extreme makeover – a new you - you must surrender your heart to Jesus Christ. Our Lord has been involved in doing amazing makeovers for centuries. In fact, it’s His specialty! But the transformation he wants to bring into your life is on the inside - not the outside. The prophet Samuel once made this profound observation about God, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) Jesus wants to change you from the inside out. His internal makeover is far better than any external makeover you might seek because the changes he brings are permanent.
The verse above says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” Pay close attention to the two words “in Christ.” These are two of the most important words in the entire Bible. That term, or its equivalent, appears 172 times in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul used it 97 times in his letters. You may wonder, which one is it, “Christ in me?” or “me in Christ?” The answer is “Yes.” To be in Christ brings you redemption. For Christ to be in you brings sanctification. To be in Christ makes you fit for heaven. But for Christ to be in you that makes you fit for earth. To be in Christ changes your destination. But for Christ to be in you that changes your destiny! The one makes heaven your home. The other makes your world His workshop.
When you are “in Christ” it makes everything new in your life. The more you learn about who you really are “in Christ,” the more secure and confident you’ll be as you live your life. Here are just a few of the new things that happen “in Christ”: We receive grace in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:4); our redemption is in Christ (Romans 3:24); we are justified in Christ (Galatians 2:17) ; we have forgiveness of sins in Christ (Ephesians 4:32); there is no condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1); we are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17); we have eternal life in Christ (Romans 6:23); God supplies all our needs in Christ (Philippians 4:19); we have every spiritual blessing of heaven in Christ (Ephesians 1:3); we will be presented to God perfect in Christ.
(Colossians 1:28); we cannot be separated from the love of God in Christ (Romans 8:35).
When a person is in Christ, the newness that begins on the inside of the person will begin to work its way to the outside. The heart will begin to love new things. Feet will begin to walk on a new path. Hands will begin to work in a new way. Eyes will begin to see new beauty. Ears will begin to hear new truth. Your mind will begin to think new thoughts. The tongue will begin to speak in a new way. The desire for the old sinful attractions dies as hope, joy and gratitude grows within. The person may look the same on the outside but because they are in Christ everything is new on the inside.
What’s new? You are – if you are in Christ. Today, instead of seeking superficial changes that affect the way you look externally, why not ask Jesus to change you from the inside out? Confess your sin. Receive his forgiveness. And he will make all things new for you.
Live the victorious life,
PT
There’s the old joke about a lady named Jane who was taken to the hospital for an operation. She was scared of dying, so she said, “Lord, is this it? Am I going to die?” The Lord said, “No, Jane, according to my records you’re going to live for another 43 years and 12 days.” Jane said, “Thank you, Lord!” Realizing she had so much time to live, Jane decided to make the most of it. While she was in the hospital she decided to undergo a full makeover. She had liposuction, tummy tuck, a nose job, and a face lift - she even dyed her hair a new color. On the day she left the hospital, she was struck by a bus while crossing the street and was killed. As you can imagine, Jane was pretty upset when she stood before the Lord. She said, “Lord! You said I had another 40 years! What happened?” The Lord said, “Jane? Is that you? I didn’t recognize you!”
Many people go to extreme lengths attempting to capture a youthful outward appearance. They’ll go to their doctor looking to get a new nose, new face, or a new body. They’ll pay the beautician to get a new look. The problem of course is none of those changes last forever. Dyed hair is soon betrayed by grey roots. A tummy tuck will eventually un-tuck. A face life will eventually fall. A wrinkle remover will only delay the inevitable. External changes might make you feel better about yourself for awhile but they don’t last for very long. If you’re really looking for an extreme makeover – a new you - you must surrender your heart to Jesus Christ. Our Lord has been involved in doing amazing makeovers for centuries. In fact, it’s His specialty! But the transformation he wants to bring into your life is on the inside - not the outside. The prophet Samuel once made this profound observation about God, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) Jesus wants to change you from the inside out. His internal makeover is far better than any external makeover you might seek because the changes he brings are permanent.
The verse above says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” Pay close attention to the two words “in Christ.” These are two of the most important words in the entire Bible. That term, or its equivalent, appears 172 times in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul used it 97 times in his letters. You may wonder, which one is it, “Christ in me?” or “me in Christ?” The answer is “Yes.” To be in Christ brings you redemption. For Christ to be in you brings sanctification. To be in Christ makes you fit for heaven. But for Christ to be in you that makes you fit for earth. To be in Christ changes your destination. But for Christ to be in you that changes your destiny! The one makes heaven your home. The other makes your world His workshop.
When you are “in Christ” it makes everything new in your life. The more you learn about who you really are “in Christ,” the more secure and confident you’ll be as you live your life. Here are just a few of the new things that happen “in Christ”: We receive grace in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:4); our redemption is in Christ (Romans 3:24); we are justified in Christ (Galatians 2:17) ; we have forgiveness of sins in Christ (Ephesians 4:32); there is no condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1); we are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17); we have eternal life in Christ (Romans 6:23); God supplies all our needs in Christ (Philippians 4:19); we have every spiritual blessing of heaven in Christ (Ephesians 1:3); we will be presented to God perfect in Christ.
(Colossians 1:28); we cannot be separated from the love of God in Christ (Romans 8:35).
When a person is in Christ, the newness that begins on the inside of the person will begin to work its way to the outside. The heart will begin to love new things. Feet will begin to walk on a new path. Hands will begin to work in a new way. Eyes will begin to see new beauty. Ears will begin to hear new truth. Your mind will begin to think new thoughts. The tongue will begin to speak in a new way. The desire for the old sinful attractions dies as hope, joy and gratitude grows within. The person may look the same on the outside but because they are in Christ everything is new on the inside.
What’s new? You are – if you are in Christ. Today, instead of seeking superficial changes that affect the way you look externally, why not ask Jesus to change you from the inside out? Confess your sin. Receive his forgiveness. And he will make all things new for you.
Live the victorious life,
PT
posted by Larry | 1:26 PM
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