Monday the 16th

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

 

We had several baptisms this weekend. It is quite an energizing, refreshing, and inspiring thing to witness. Nothing makes the heart soar more than seeing people become dead to sin, and alive in Christ. As this passage reflects, they have become new. A new creature, a new life, a new beginning. The sky is the limit, and they are only bound by the heights that the Lord will take them. However, as soon as they step out of the water, the cheering has stopped, and they have a dry set of clothes on, they have to step out into the world. The same old world, with the same old temptations, and the same old traps. This is where many will find their greatest struggle, being a new creation, in the old world. It seems that it is a struggle that we will fight through for the rest of our lives. It is a struggle worth taking on, and one that if we rely on the Lord, we will have infinite strength to persevere, and be victorious. We must not fall into the trap that awaits us all. It is one of the big lies we are told, and one of the easiest traps the devil sets for us. The lie that if the world around us has not changed, then how can we believe that we have truly changed.

 

We are not told that the world has changed and become new, we are told that when we accept Christ we become new, we are given the fresh start, we are given the new chapter….not the world…..and the devil will do everything in his power to make sure the world does not change. As a result, it is easy to feel less than stellar about our struggle, it becomes easy to believe that we have not changed. We give the devil a foothold, and he starts the climb up to our very core. We cannot afford to lose that feeling that we each had when we stepped out of that water, or left the conformation alter. We fully aware of our choices, chose Christ. Do you remember that feeling? That fire that burned inside? That undeniable feeling that there was nothing that you could not accomplish, because Christ was running right alongside of you? Each of us should have that feeling each and every morning! We should remind ourselves each day that we are new creations. We are Children of God, our Brother, Jesus Christ, is walking next to us, not just on the day of our commitment, but each and every day thereafter. I know, you are thinking ….”man, if it were only that easy” I will tell you the truth, it is. You choose. What was your thought this very morning? Did you think, “oh, man…it’s Monday….it is going to suck!” Or perhaps “it’s Monday, I hope I survive”, or my favorite…..”It’s Monday, now I have to do what I did not do last week, and brother that list is LONG, I will never get it done.” Guess what, you have just set your day, and folks that is not the thinking of a new creation! That is an old creation, in the old world. Today, I want all of us……No, it is not what I want…..The Lord wants all of us to declare that we are new creations, boldly declare that yes you have struggles, but this new creation can overcome anything with Christ. Then go out and make it happen. No, the world will not bow you your every whim, and people will not clamor  to hear you speak, or see what you will do next….but the Lord will. Jesus will eagerly wait to hear you encourage the downtrodden, HE will leap with joy, as He watches you forge through and do the right thing. You see, you are a new creation, and it now has nothing to do with the world, and if it changes or not. It is now all about your relationship with Christ and if you will continue to change to be more like Him. Remember that fire that burned inside of you. If it is smaller now, then stoke it with prayer, and worship, if it is almost out, then fan it back to life with the Word of God, and if it is still burning as brightly, then get out there and lend some flame, there are those that need it, and the newly baptized need to see it. We are all new creations, today, tomorrow, and each day to come. Seize it, declare it, then live it.

 

 

God Bless,

Brian Thetford

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