7 day plan

Embracing Reconciliation

Day 7 of 7

NIV

2 Corinthians 5:17

17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Reflection: Those who are ‘in Christ’ are given a new identity rooted in their relationship with him. This new identity is no longer defined by worldly standards or past mistakes but by their status as God’s children and heirs to his promises.

Are we excited about this new life in Christ? Embracing a new life in Christ often begins with a spiritual awakening or realisation of one’s need for a deeper connection with God. Accepting Christ often involves a change in attitudes, behaviours, and priorities.

Before we can become new, the first thing we need to do is to decide to be in Christ. Once we make the decision to be in Christ, we then become a New Creation. God doesn’t give us a used life, a rebuilt life, or a reconditioned life. He gives us a new life in Christ. When we become a new creation, we do not engage in the things which we were involved earlier. We reflect new things, new ideas and a new spirit.

It is also necessary that the old things should pass away. Especially, the bad attitudes, and bad behaviours should be dismissed.

Finally, I would like to highlight that God gives us deliverance. He gives us a new blessing, a new calling, a new destiny, a new faith, a new heart, a new life, and a new mission to glorify his name.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we humbly ask for the strength to embrace the newness of life that you provide. Help us to walk in the light of your truth, to live according to your will, and to spread the message of your love and redemption to those around us. May our lives reflect the transformational power of Christ’s sacrifice, inspiring others to seek the beauty of a life renewed in you. We believe that in Christ, we are new creations; the old has passed away, and the new has come. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Days

2 Corinthians 5:1-21

Awaiting the New Body

1For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

6Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7For we live by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

11Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that 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. 20We 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. 21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.