“So then from now on we acknowledge no one from an outward human point of view. Even though we have known Christ from such a human point of view, now we do not know him in that way any longer. So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away - look, what is new has come! (2 Cor. 5:16-18)
Last night in my men’s group, Brothers, Bibles and Beer, we read through and discussed 2 Corinthians chapter 5. I read through this amazing chapter again this morning and my reflection flows out of this reading. I am asking you to watch this 4 minute video before you continue on to reading my reflections that follow.
Flawless! That is what we are told the cross makes us and we become when we accept Christ into our life isn’t it. When we were saved. That is what Salvation means. Salvation means and requires a change. We were saved from something, to something.
We are born again new as Jesus tells Nicodemus in John Chapter 3
“Jesus replied, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”… “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must all be born from above.’
John expanded earlier on being born again in John Chapter 1 that when we came to Christ we born again, that we were not born of blood, nor the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but of God. We become sons and daughters of God!
And Nicodemus answered. “How can this be?” And I believe that many of us here in Christ, and many who have been Christians in the church for decades, still wonder, “How can that be?”
If I were put on a name tag that states “I’m Flawless” What would most who read it think. “Ya right!” They would lean over to their neighbor and whisper, “You got to be kidding! ”
Because if you look at me with earthly eyes, in my flesh, I look like almost all of them in the “before” pictures in the attached video you watched.
I live with guilt of a reckless living
I am prone to being selfish
I at times doubt if God will provide my needs.
I struggle with being the spiritual leader in my house
I’m at times haunted by my past
I can make my work a priority over my family
I should not only be covered in muck like those in the video, but up to my waist in it!
But none of that defines me as who I am anymore. And none of that defines who you are anymore. But we as a church still greet, judge, and live as if it does. Why?
Let me ask you this: Are you in Christ? Do you believe you are a new creature? That when you came to Christ it completely changed and altered not just your eternal destiny or your present in a spiritual sense, but you were changed mentally and physically as well. Your DNA was affected and renewed,
If you are witnessing to someone and talking to them about Jesus, and you invite them into a relationship with Jesus, or just to go to church. They answer, “No, I am not good enough.” No, I am not ready yet. Your reply may be the standard, “You do not have to be good enough, Christ will meet you right where you are.” Or “If You take one step towards Jesus, and he will take 1,000 towards you.” To which I say amen and its true! I hope you believe that! But when Jesus does meet them, In this eternity altering encounter, What happens to them? They are totally and completely transformed! You were totally and completely transformed! They were made Flawless! You were made flawless! And if the church did not make you realize that then I am sorry. Listen again to Paul.
Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2Co 5:18-21 )
God through the Holy Spirit dwells flawlessly in us.
We need to reach out to people as realizing this. As Flawless people inviting others into a flawless existence. The world needs people offering this. Flawlessness. But you can not offer to them, what you do not see in yourself. Maybe the church never conveyed this to you. But you are flawless!
My family, I pray this morning you look in the mirror and claim your flawless in Christ. I pray throughout this weekend you continue to receive this message, believe this message, and then go out and share this message, In Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share you thoughts and prayers with us from this devotion in the comment box below.
Help Me Help Others Out Of Their Graves!
Help Me Share The Gospel!
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