March - 4
A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17
Yelena, a godly grandmother from the Ukraine, had joyful news to share. Her grandson became a Christian! He used to be the village drunk, and his family thought he would end up in jail. But the gospel has dramatically changed him. Yelena calls it a miracle. His neigh¬bors still can’t believe that he now welcomes people to his house not for a drink but for a Bible study!
In today’s verses the apostle Paul says that when God’s power and grace touch a human heart, a spectacular change happens. It’s not some kind of masquerade or plastic surgery. In Christ a former sinner becomes a brand-new person on the inside.
As we reflect on this, let us remember that in the very beginning all things were made through Christ. But the original creation became polluted with sin. And now—again through Christ—we can become restored or created anew. Can you see why Christ plays such a crucial role in our walk of faith?
In Christ we become reconciled to God by making a faith commitment. Our relationship with God cannot be reestablished without his Son. And once we are reunited to God, we become Christ’s ambassadors. God is making an appeal to others through us. Are you a new crea¬tion in Christ? If so, have you joined his diplomatic service, inviting others to be reconciled to God?
PRAYER
Our heavenly Father, we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ! In him we become a new creation. Bless our ministry for your sake as Christ’s faithful ambassadors. Amen.
乌克兰一位敬虔的祖母Yelena，与人分享一个好消息，她的孙儿已成为基督徒！他一向是一名街头酒鬼，他的家人预料他终有一天被抓坐牢。然而福音彻头彻尾改变了他，Yelena称这件事为一个神迹。他的邻居仍然不大相信，现在他邀请人到他家，不再是喝酒，而是一起查经！
在今天的经文中，使徒保罗说，当神的大能和恩典感动人心时，我们必会看到惊人的改变。这种改变不是伪装出来或做了整容手术。在基督里，从前犯罪的，现在心灵已完全更新了。
在我们思想这件事时，我们当记着，起初万物都是借着基督创造的，可是，这些受造之物因罪堕落了；现今 —— 也是借着基督 —— 我们得以复元或成为新造的人。你是否明白，为什么基督在我们信仰历程中扮演那么重要的角色呢？
在基督里，我们凭信心得以与神和好，若没有祂的儿子，我们不可能与神重新建立关系；一旦与神再次连合，我们便成为基督的使者，神借着我们规劝别人。你是否已在基督里成为新造的人？假若答案是肯定的话，你有没有加入祂的外交部门，邀请别人与神和好呢？
祷告
我们在天上的父，我们为祢的儿子耶稣基督赞美祢！在祂里面，我们成为新造的人。求祢因祢的名祝福我们的事奉，成为基督忠心的使者。阿们。