Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 The Great Lent

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

v. 17 “…the old is gone, the new has come!”

Oftentimes, our relationship with God is a selfish one. We seek to please Him because we believe that is the only way we shall be saved. However, we must understand that this is not the only aspect we should focus on. The Old Covenant, established through Moses, emphasized worshipping God and avoiding sin. While the Israelites accepted this, they were unable to sustain their reconciliation with God. Thus, God chose to give everything, and establish everlasting reconciliation through the sacrifice of His one and Only Son. Furthermore, this New Covenant encourages us to be the light that reconciles others with Christ. 

In reference to the old, we remember the Old Covenant and ultimately an incomplete reconciliation with God. God’s laws were not enough to keep us from sin. Therefore, establishing a scapegoat through Christ, created a complete homecoming for humanity. Paul proclaims that this incomplete reconciliation is gone and that complete reconciliation with the righteousness of God is available to all who turn toward Christ. 

In the New Covenant, Jesus tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves – which is an extension of the salvation we were given. The Perfect One took on the imperfections of His creation just to let us be reunited with Him.  With this ministry of salvation, He extends reconciliation towards all those that are against Christ, as stated in verse 19. Therefore, it is our responsibility to guide those who are against Him to accept Him. Just as God was completely selfless and all-giving, we too must be all-giving and entirely selfless. We cannot be selfish with how we were made new; we must share and bring others to the newness that is promised to them. 

During this Lenten season, let us work to revitalize our selfless, all-giving virtue, by focusing on the reconciliation of those against Christ. As ambassadors of the New Covenant, our leadership is through our actions and dedication to the message. As sinners ourselves, let our actions show the same mercy to those against Christ that He has shown to us. Let us abandon our selfish motivations for salvation. Let us bring others to be reconciled and realize their righteous redemption in Christ.

Prayer
“Our Father, who is willing to sacrifice Himself for the sake of others, 
let us follow your example. 
Let us show others the path to salvation and bring your creation back to their rightful place.”

Thought for the Day
How can I shine light on the passage to salvation to those who are against it?
 

Aksa Babu
The Mar Thoma Church, Staten Island

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