We hear we are a “new creation in Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17), but what does that actually mean?
How do we change who we are?
“Throughout Scripture, God was in the habit of giving people new names. Some notable examples are changing Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, and Jacob to Israel. In the New Testament, we see Saul of Tarsus become Paul and Simon-Cephas become Peter. I love how God gave these people new lives and new identities. For example, Simon-Cephas was an obstinate, impulsive, easily angered, argumentative, and prideful man. Then Jesus comes along and renames him (see Matthew 18). Our obstinate Simon-Cephas is renamed Peter, meaning rock. We might have only seen the man who tried to walk on water but failed, who refused to have his feet washed by Jesus, who rebuked Jesus, who cut off the soldier’s ear with a sword, who deserted his best friend during his death, and who infamously denied Christ three times. Well, guess whom Jesus saw? He sawa pillar for the church. He saw the man who would bring three thousand souls to Christ on the Day of Pentecost. He saw the man who would someday write Scripture. He saw the man who would courageously give his life as a martyr for Christ. Jesus sees our potential, not our past. Take a moment and praise God for that!” (From an excerpt of my Bible study, “I Didn’t want to be that girl! A Look into the Life of Eve“, P. 73)
Personal Reflection: Is there something in your life that you need to put behind you? A label that you have been wearing for too long?
Now, I am believing with you, today, that you have been given a new name. You are a new creature. Believe God you are who He says you are and He is able to do what He says He can do!
“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:4
A flea was riding on an elephant’s ear. They came to a wooden bridge, and as they crossed the bridge wobbled badly and almost collapsed. When they got the other side the flea said to the elephant, “Boy didn’t we shake that bridge!” The flea wasn’t really able to shake the bridge—but as long as he was riding on the elephant he thought he could. In a similar way, we can feel confident about ourselves, not because of anything we’ve done, but because of our relationship to God. Our identity is secure in Him! God loves you not because of your accomplishments, your past, your riches, your beauty…He destined to love you before the beginning of time.
