2 Corinthians 5:17–6:2
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
(2 CORINTHIANS 5:17)
We've all seen pretty amazing before-and-after pictures in magazines or on television of people who've had a make-over of some kind. While usually striking, the changes only alter a person's outward appearance. When someone accepts Christ, he becomes a new person from the inside out. That has to be the ultimate make-over!
Forgiveness replaces guilt and condemnation. Turmoil and confusion give way to peace. Rather than always searching for something we can't even define, we are satisfied and content. The Holy Spirit takes up residence within us, and the qualities He brings with Him include "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). As these attributes of the new man grow in us, the fears, anxiety and stress that could overtake us in the past lose their strength. What an exchange! It's one that surely is of more worth than what is available at a high-end boutique or salon. Besides, this new look will remain in style for eternity.
INSIGHT
A NEW LOOK FOR YOUR CLOTHING OR HAIR COULD BE GREAT. BUT THE TRANSFORMATION OF A HEART TURNED TO JESUS IS THE ULTIMATE!
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Genesis 12-13
Psalm 6
Matthew 10-11
2 Corinthians 5:17-6:2
New International Version (NIV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
6 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says,
“In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”[c]
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
Footnotes:
a. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or Christ, that person is a new creation.
b. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Or be a sin offering
c. 2 Corinthians 6:2 Isaiah 49:8
THE BIBLE IN 90 DAYS
with Ted Cooper
Many Christians have been disappointed for the same reason - they have never read the Bible from cover to cover. One way to fix this is to commit to the challenge of reading the Bible in 90 days.
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