Published 11/1/19
Read
"From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view, even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us." (NRSV)
2 Corinthians 5:16-19
Reflect
How can you be confident that you have new life in Christ?
Salvation is the single most important decision we'll ever make in our lives, and living and growing in Christ is the daily pursuit of a forgiven life. His grace is free. But as we acknowledge our brokenness, we allow God to work in our hearts on a deeper level than we ever imagined. He moves right into our hurts, hopes, bitterness, love, selfishness, mistakes, desires--name the issue and Christ is going to work in that part of our life. Consider this: He is the only one who truly knows our private thoughts and struggles.
Isn't it awe-inspiring that He is the only one who can deliver us?
No wonder it's so hard to define spiritual growth and maturity. With all of the possible combinations of baggage we carry around, each one of our personal journeys will be specific to each one of us. Our growth and maturity involves a journey--a transformational process. And it's a vital part of living out our salvation.
While salvation is absolutely necessary, it is also just the beginning of living a life of freedom. We rarely know what we are getting into when we ask Christ to examine our hearts and deliver us from our own weaknesses. But it is a necessary process if we truly seek a life of holiness. It's the next essential step toward a new life in Christ.
Pray
Lord, thank You for eternal life. Help me to be confident in this promise You have made to all who have placed their trust in You. I want to grow closer to You. Move me deeper into a new life with You. Amen.