November 23, 2011

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old has gone, the new is here!

"The old is gone, the new is here!"  I am not a Bibleologist, but I don't remember the exclamation point being used a lot in scripture.  But it is certainly the appropriate punctuation mark for today's verse.

Old habits- gone!
Old thought patterns- gone!
Destructive behaviors- gone!

Or are they?  I know as a Christian, salvation does not mean perfection.  Even Paul bemoaned the fact that "I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do, this I keep on doing."  Romans 7:19   Even the great apostle Paul continued to sin.  So what hope is there for us "normal" Christians?

Here is one part of an answer to that question-  Fervently claim 2 Corinthians 5:17.  In God's eyes, the old is truly gone.  It is no longer a part of the believer.  However, I all too often abuse the fact that as a believer ALL my sin is forgiven- past, present and future.  It is easier to be mad than ask for forgiveness.  Sometimes I don't want to not tell that piece of gossip I overheard.  Perhaps if I used today's verse and similar verses to remind myself I am new creation in Christ and that the old me is gone, I would not have to rely on the forgiveness portion of my salvation quite so often.

I see 2 Corinthians 5:17 as a strengthening verse.  A satan rebuker.  An encourager when tempted.

I ask the Lord's help today to help me claim that I am a new being in Him, and the old does not have any control in my life unless I yield to the carnal self.