“Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:16-18
From now on – since I have been born again – I am
to have a spiritual perspective. I used to think about verse 17 in terms of
myself – but the context is how I should see every Christian – and non-Christian
for that matter. But we still live, act,
think like we are still in “Kansas”. Like nothing has changed – really. When,
in fact, everything has changed. Does my faith make a difference in my physical
life – my everyday existence? It is supposed to. I know that I write a lot about our
relationship with God juxtaposed with our relationship with the world. That is because
our new life is Christ is “juxtaposed” (great word) with our natural life as we
live out our present existence. We all
must be reminded of who we are as born-again children of God and what the means
in how we live day to day. How we see and relate to other people – Christian or
not.
As far as we are to be concerned “all things are
of God”. Now the world, that generally rejects the sovereignty of God in their
lives – considers their lives to be their own – they will decide what is right
and wrong – individually and collectively – not some “Creator God”. But our
eyes have been opened by faith to a different reality. I nearly typed “new” but
then remembered that God’s reality is not new – in fact it is the only one that
counts – from an eternal perspective. He has ordered His creation and so long
as it is in harmony – it works the way He intended. Enter Sin stage left. People crave for harmony – peace – justice –
contentment. What they seek can only be found by faith in Jesus. Faith in Jesus
will not stop wars – the evil deeds of men, but it will bring harmony – peace –
justice – contentment to the ones who have that faith – who have become new in
Christ.
I have been talking to someone whose wife is
struggling physically. I am pretty certain that he is not a Christian – but I also
know that he never refuses prayer when I offer it. I don’t know what keeps people from yielding
to the tug of the Spirit – I suspect that he is resistant – but that is a battle
of the heart that each of us go through – I am certain that if we were face to
face that you could share your won skirmish with the Spirit of God. And the day
that you yielded and raised the hand of your heart in surrender. The battle rages all around us and there are
so many casualties – hearts that turn away.
Do you see it in your mind’s eye? Do you feel it in your heart? Do you
know someone – perhaps someone close – who refuses to surrender? Yes I am
certain you do.
We are not the Holy Spirit – but we can be and
should be faithful witnesses. Not living like we are lost in our sin but like we
are new creations showing the world what “right” looks like. Bearing the fruit of the Spirit as a testimony
to a world running pell-mell toward the gates of hell. We have a lone tomato plant that I have found needs to be cared for - watered - fed - the vines need to be "dressed". It takes work - effort - just like our spiritual lives if we are to bear fruit.
“ .. the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have
crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit,
let us also walk in the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:22-25
Are you willing to be different? To live
differently – to believe differently – to love differently? To embrace
the truth that you are no longer of this world and all that it embraces as
right. God has something He wants you to do. He wants you to be a witness
for Him to a world that hates Him. God uses us to be a spark for the flame of
salvation in the lives of some. To be living testimonies of the WAY and what it
means to live for God. God has something in mind for you.
Think about it – Pray about it - Believe it –
Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His
Glory Alone
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