October 28
Today's Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Jesus told Nicodemus that one must be born again in order to see the kingdom of God. He went on to explain that this new birth is not of the flesh but of the Spirit. We can only be born again by the Spirit of God when we believe in Jesus Christ and ask Him to be our Lord and Savior. At that point, we become a new creation in Christ. "Old things have passed away---all things have become new." By becoming a new creation, our reconciliation back to God is complete. Where sin and darkness once reigned, life and light now take over.
For many people, coming to know Christ as their Savior is truly a day of remembrance. People who are desperate to start over get that opportunity with Jesus. However, there are those who come to Christ, accept Him into their hearts and have no benchmark of a life changing experience. Regardless of how one comes to know Jesus, the result to each new believer is the same--they are starting over. Old things must pass away. What old things? Old sinful habits and behaviors should change in the life of a believer. The fruit of the Spirit should begin to replace the lusts of the flesh (see Galatians 5:19-23). Love instead of hate; kindness instead of cruelty; peace instead of anxiety.
A believer in Jesus Christ is made new by the Spirit, not by good deeds or hard work. The Holy Spirit convicts us that certain activities are against God and then helps us to stop doing them. Do not try to be a holy person by good works within yourself. You do not have the power to make yourself righteous, only God can do that. It is in His power that you are born again, a new creation made by His hands, and by His hands, He will mold you into His image---day by day. We are all a work in progress. Ask the Lord today to have His way with you. Let Him make all things new in your life. His mercies are new every morning. All we need to do is believe and receive all that He has for us.
Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc., founded by Tonilee Adamson and Bobbye Brooks, embraces a vision to reach the world for Christ by teaching others how to be His daily disciples. Their mission is to evangelize the lost and to re-awaken the saved to live lives empowered by the Word of God and His Holy Spirit, and to teach and to train those who desire to grow, to serve and to have all that God has for them…encouraging everyone to be a daily disciple of Jesus Christ. From Bible studies to daily devotionals to daily radio programs to a comprehensive discipleshipprogram, Bobbye & Tonilee have a passion to help others apply the Word of God to their lives every day.