Wednesday, June 24, 2015

New in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)

Today's scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

We are new creatures in Christ. When we accept the gift of salvation through His death, burial, and resurrection, we are completely different from whom we were … or at least we should be.

I wrote yesterday that so many of us are still living our own selfish, fleshly lives even after we claim to commit our lives to Christ.

I’m far from perfect. Believe me. But I really, truly strive to live differently than the world does. I’m careful of the words that come out of my mouth. I try to demonstrate God’s love to others. I stay focused on God and His word. I pray. I meditate on God’s word. I avoid those things that might cause me to stumble.

I try—in my fleshly, frail way—to live as a new creature in Christ.

When I think of all my God did for me, I can’t do otherwise.

Trust me when I say, I have no right—none whatsoever—to judge anyone else. I have a big old plank in my eye, so I cannot point out the sliver in the eye of my brother or sister. However, it breaks my heart when I see others who profess to be Christians speaking and acting and living no differently than those who don’t claim to know Christ.

How will nonbelievers be attracted to Christ if they don’t see something attractive in us? When they see us being hateful or vulgar or uncaring?

When we’re the same old creatures we were before ...

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