"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
What an amazing gift God has given us, the promise to make us new! Adam and Eve were made in the image and character of God, full of love, joy, mercy, patience, kindness, and humility. But when they brought sin into the world, our first parents lost that Godly nature. They lost face-to-face communion with God. They had turned themselves over to their enemy. Nothing could restore the God-likeness except to be recreated.
We have inherited Adam and Eve's condition. As a child, I was abused, and when I became an adult I fell into an unhealthy relationship, looking for approval from a broken man. For nine years I endured him and made all the wrong choices. Constantly worried and anxious, I became depressed, without joy, going day to day without hope. My faith in God was weak. Unaware that I was loved by my heavenly Father and that He had better things in store for me, my situation felt as grim as Adam and Eve's.
Then a friend invited me to a prayer meeting. I turned her down — for a year. She was Pentecostal and I was Catholic. But as I became more desperate, I finally asked her if I could come and discovered there were ladies present from many denominations. That first meeting won me to Christ with the words of Isaiah 54:5–6, "'For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth. For the Lord has called you like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, like a youthful wife when you were refused,' says your God." The Word of God drew me in. I had never been taught to read the Bible. At that meeting, my whole life changed.
God's steadfast love for me continues to amaze me. Broken and wounded, He loved me, sorted me out, repaired me, and made me whole. His love is beyond measure. It will transform your life too. Christ wants to live out His life in you. He wants to recreate you as He recreated me.
Recreating us was God's back-up plan from the beginning. Jesus came, not to condemn the world but to save us from sin and selfishness. He came to make us whole again, like God. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Amazing! If we open our hearts to Him, He will recreate us.
Call to Action
Christ’s love is for real. He died for you. Won't you take one step toward Him and watch as He takes ten steps toward you? Your life will be forever changed — the Bible promises it. Jesus promises it. He will give you the love, joy, and peace He created you for. Won't you try Him today?
All scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
