“Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new creation. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new.” (2 Cor. 5:17 TPT)
“But because the Messiah lives in me, I’ve now died to the law’s dominion over me so that I can live for God. My old identity has been co-crucified with Messiah and no longer lives; for the nails of his cross crucified me with him. And now the essence of this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives his life through me—we live in union as one! My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that he gave himself for me, and dispenses his life into mine! (Gal. 2:20 TPT)
God is a Creator. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The creative work of God is recorded in Genesis 1:1-31. Salvation begins with God, and He planned it long before He made the universe (Eph. 1:4; Rev. 13:8) . “And he chose us to be his very own, joining us to himself even before he laid the foundation of the universe! Because of his great love, he ordained us, so that we would be seen as holy in his eyes with an unstained innocence.” (Eph. 1:4)
WOW! That’s something to shout about. What an awesome privilege to become an entirely new creation, holy and acceptable to God. Only Christ could do that through the work of the Cross. So, now we have the capacity to live for Him.
Jesus Christ came into the world and completed the work of redemption. He died for the sins of the world, rose from the dead, and returned to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to His people. All who trust in Jesus Christ are “in him” and now a part of the family of God. All things have become new.
When we were born into God’s family, we were born complete in Jesus Christ. Our own completeness is now found in Him. “We are completely filled with God as Christ’s fullness overflows within us. He is the Head[ of every kingdom and authority in the universe!” (Col. 2:10 TPT)
We are saved by grace (Eph. 2:8-9), and we must live by grace (1 Cor. 15:10), drawing upon the riches of His grace and kindness (Eph. 2:7; Phil. 4:19). We have all that He has made available to his by faith.
We are His workmanship, re-created people in Christ Jesus that will fulfill the destiny He has given each of us. Before we were born, God planned our destiny in advance and the good works we would do to fulfill it!
What God has done for us in Christ Jesus is “to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves” (Eph. 1:6).
Our responsibility as people living in the “new creation” is to see to it that everything we do brings glory to God (1 Cor. 6:19-20; Matt. 5:16).
May the grace, joy, and peace of God be yours through Jesus Christ our loving Lord. To Him be glory, now and forever.
Dr. A
Note: All Scriptures are taken from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.
BEYOND CHURCH WALLS 