"So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away: see, everything has become new!"
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NRSV)
Prodigal Thoughts: The Message bible says it like this: "Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons [flourishes]!" The apostle Paul is writing to the church in Corinth again, teaching them about the outward result of an inward change for those who have chosen to live as Christ. I’ve shared this before, but it bears repeating. When someone wants to renovate a house, most of the changes and work usually happen in the inside of the house. The foundation of the house might need to be fixed or replaced, the walls or roof might need to be strengthened so the house is structurally sound, but the love and charm of the house grows from the inside to the outside. By the end of a renovation project, the house is like a new home, but still carries the character of its old self. When we give God permission to "mess with us", He begins to rework and build those parts of us that need to be made new. In time, our exterior begins to change. Our countenance is different. Just by the way we live and treat others, we show God’s love and hope for others. When we live out of the indwelling of the presence of God in our lives, our outlook on life changes. We have hope and joy and peace that others may not understand. THAT is the work of our Holy God! He makes us new and what was old and decaying simply passes away. What an amazing God we serve.
Prayer for today: Today, I pray that we welcome the changes that God desires to make in us though the transformation may make us uncomfortable and stretch us beyond our "comfort zones." That we would come to trust God’s wisdom and ultimate hope and love that He has for us, knowing that we will be better suited to serve Him as He makes us new. Lastly, I pray that we would truly take to heart that Jesus has led the way for us and has lived through the transformation as our example. May we find solace in that.
If you need prayer, please reply and I will pray for you. If you would like to talk about this verse or have questions, I’m always open for your feedback.
God’s grace on you…
Prodigal Thinker 