Lent- Transformation of Creation
2 Corinthians 5:11-21
V21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Lent is a purposeful call or an invitation of transformation of the creation. Being available for Christ is primary in the process of transformation which happens through the "In- Christ " experience.
Coming to the context of this text we can see that Paul was the founder of the church at Corinth. We can see the significance of his words as follows:
“Therefore, we know no one after the flesh from now on “(v. 16a). Paul no longer regards others “after the flesh” or “according to the flesh” (v. 16). To view someone (according to the flesh) means to view them by worldly standards—by their wealth or physical beauty or political influence or power. Those are the concerns of the natural person. Paul now regards people from a different perspective—a spiritual perspective.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ” (v. 17a). Being “in Christ” involves an all-encompassing relationship with Christ Jesus—a relationship that has saving power. That relationship involves receiving justification (being made righteous) as a gift rather than as an achievement, which makes us all equal at the foot of the cross. There is no room for boastfulness “in Christ,” because we have all received the same gift.
“He is a new creation” (v. 17b). The vision of a new creation was important to the prophets. The new age that Paul foresaw is one that involved the completion of God’s purposes in Christ, in the “revealing of the children of God” (Rom. 8:19)”.
The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new “(v. 17c). Christ is in the process of redeeming the kosmos. He has already redeemed those of us who have placed our faith in him. We have become new and different people. The difference will not be complete until we are permitted to join Christ in the heavenly realm—but Christ has already started his work in our lives. We are, indeed, new people.
For him who knew no sin (God) made to be sin on our behalf “(v. 21a). Christ was a sin-offering in keeping with the Jewish sacrificial system.
“So that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (v. 21b). The gospel (evangelion—good news) is good news primarily because God has chosen to share his righteousness with us—has chosen to justify us “freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).
Let this Lenten days be a transformative period to all of us. So that we may be transformed in Christ to be the good news of the world. Amen PRAYER
Lord open our eyes to understand and see the sufferings you had for our redemption. Transform us Lord to a new creation and mold us to be your ambassadors in earth proclaiming your gospel and the good news.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Let the peace of God that transcends all understanding guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen
Merlin Binoy
The Mar Thoma Church Staten Island.
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church | 
