I Believe… I am made new!

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new creation. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new.”

Last week we talked about believing in Jesus. The amazing thing about believing in Jesus unto salvation is that God does something in us. Something supernatural. We are made new in Him. We become a new creation. A never before seen version of ourselves. In the natural we still look the same but our spirit comes alive and the Holy Spirit begins the work of transforming us into Christ likeness.

I used to think this meant I would forget my past like it was just a bad dream and it never happened. But that’s not how it works. In fact, it would be rather sad if we came to accept Jesus and immediately we forgot everything that happened prior to that moment. How awkward life would be walking up to people like, “Hey, do I know you?” Lucky for us, we do not get amnesia. We get a new identity in Christ.

That means, if you came to Christ with no hope now you have hope in Christ who lives in you. If you came to Christ broken- He will begin the work of making you whole. If you came to Christ defeated, He will show you and teach you how to live in victory for He is our victory. The old order of life has gone. The old way things used to happen in your life is gone. You are now under the covering of a loving God.

I think our verse today ought to be read together with Philippians 3:13-14 which says, “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,  I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

When we come to Christ, we are made new in Him but we don’t get amnesia or immediately forget our past lives and past mistakes. BUT we have a choice. We can choose to forget our past. It no longer has a hold on us so why must we keep holding on to it? Let it go. The Apostle Paul had a past of killing Christians but he chose to put that behind him so he could focus on the call of God in his life. We must do likewise.

The word “forget” is a verb. Which means its an action. You have control over your actions. Choose not to dwell on the past but instead to focus on what the word of God says about your new identity in Christ.

Fix your thoughts on Jesus just like we talked about in our last series. Nothing about you is the same as the past, you are new in Christ. Focus on who God is calling you to be and stop letting your past mistakes and failures define you. You belong to God now.

Look up child, you have a real Savior who loves you. Enjoy your new life in Christ! This new life you have is fun and full of adventure, embrace it fully and enjoy it 🙂

Love and blessings,

Mel.