new creations

in church today, we talked about new year's resolutions.

and specifically, this verse:

2 Corinthians 5: 15-21

15 He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died and was raised again.
16 So 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.
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!"
18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
19 that 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.
20 We 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.
21 God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."

new year, new adventure, yes. but in Christ we are new creations.  



I wanted to post on this because I know this is a time where a lot of people are focused on bettering themselves by setting goals and restrictions for their lives and trying to be better people.


Be encouraged!  As the verse says: He's not counting people's sins, but reconciling the world to Himself.  In Him, you already are the righteousness of God.


what is that?
righteous (adj) - morally upright, free of guilt or sin;
righteousness (n) - righteous persons considered as a group; virtue; morality


You may want to eat less, do more, try harder, live better, but please know: you are already God's people, free of guilt and sin.


But, that comes with a response; we are forgiven and therefore we may:
1. stop living for ourselves
2. stop regarding people from worldly perspectives


which to me means, go ahead and lose the weight, save your money, live healthier, start exercising... it won't hurt.  but just remember where your true value lies:


in being the

guilt free, 

righteous, 

holy, 

sons and daughters

 of the Most High God.

and let that guide your life.  I think we'll find that when we focus not on what we do, but who we are,  we will truly be able to change our lives and live better.