WE CANNOT BECOME A CHRISTIAN AND NOT BECOME A NEW PERSON

BIBLE PASSAGE:
Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: 
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  
(2 Corinthians 5:17)

MEDITATION:
The scriptures give us many promises that are true 
regardless of whether or not we believe them.
Some want to refute God’s Word as truth, 
but will admit that it has many ‘feel good’ messages.

When we believe in God, we believe in His Word, 
and we know that the Bible contains much more than ‘feel good’ messages.
We discover guidelines 
for living a life of peace, happiness, righteousness and much more.

Why would God give us His messages 
and protect the survival of the Bible for so many years? 
It is because He loves us and wants us to have the best life has to offer.
However, we have to make some life changing decisions 
in order to enjoy the new way of living that He offers us.

The world says that all we need to do 
is be decent, respectable, and reasonable. 
That is true if our desire is to be a member of the Great Society, 
but to belong to the Kingdom of God, there must be an inner change. 
We have to turn our back to the old things so we can enjoy the new things 
promised to those who believe in the Lord, and His sacrifice for our sins

The word ‘behold’ means to watch, to view, to observe, etc.
That means that believers have something to look forward to; 
something new that we have never experienced before.
That is a promise from God that should excite every Christian in the world.

We become a ‘new creature’ with new habits, priorities, 
attitudes and the like.
Imagine the joy of exchanging an internal, selfish focus 
for an outward attention toward others and their well-being.
Instead of trying to find delight in pleasing ourselves, 
we learn how to enjoy contributing to the happiness of others.

The Lord has given me well over a thousand devotionals 
to not only enjoy myself, but to also share with others.
It has changed my mornings from a time of dreading to get out of bed, to a 
time of looking forward to what He wants to communicate to me, and others.

My excitement is increased 
each time I receive feedback from those who read His messages.
Imagine the delight I feel whenever someone sends me an email, or leaves 
a comment regarding how one of God’s messages has impacted their life.
It assures me that God not only provides the content for the devotionals, 
but He is using them in ways that I am not even aware of.

There was a Communist in Hyde Park, London, who pointed to a tramp and said, 
“Communism will put a new suit on that man.” 
A Christian who was standing nearby said, 
“Yes, but Christ will put a new man in that suit!”

ACTION:
How has the Lord changed your life?
Have you become a ‘new creature’, or are you still clinging to ‘old things’?
God has promised you a new life when you ‘surrender’ to Him.

You too can enjoy the pleasure and excitement 
of becoming an encourager to others.
And when you do, you give others the opportunity to see past you 
to the One you believe in and serve; 
they will know that your faith is genuine.
“He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30)

I have been leading Bible Study discussions for almost forty years 
and from time to time, I issue a challenge to us when we meet together.
Here is one of the challenges I have given in the past:
‘Look for an opportunity to encourage at least one person this week’.
This is one way of replacing selfishness with selflessness.

Don’t allow Satan to convince you to procrastinate an try it ‘one day’,
but make specific plans to do it this week.
And just to spice up the challenge a bit, 
say something encouraging to someone you may not like very much.

When you accept the challenge, you might be pleasantly surprised 
at their reaction, and the way you feel personally. 
Don’t get discouraged if they don’t react in a positive manner, 
but be pleased to know that you did what God wants you to do, 
regardless of how they respond. 
This one gesture might be
another stepping stone in your becoming a new creature.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise of the changes deep 
within me whenever I submit to You and Your will for me. Teach me 
to become less selfish and more selfless. Help me to realize that I must 
become less in order for You to become greater. Guide me in becoming 
the new creature You have promised I can be. Help me to let go of the 
old things and to embrace the new things from You.”

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