Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Called to be a witness

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 17-24

Key verse: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

DEVOTION

In 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Paul reminds the Corinthians that God’s new creation has dawned, and we are part of God’s handiwork. This verse speaks to the transformation that occurs when we come into a relationship with Jesus. Through His sacrifice and resurrection, we are not merely improved or reformed, but we are made new.
When someone surrenders their life to Jesus Christ, there is a significant change. One of those changes is a new identity and task. If you are in Christ, you are a new creation. The old life is gone, and you are made new. The old life that was bound to the penalty and power of sin is gone and a new life of freedom has begun in Christ. 
Not only are we given a new life when we are reconciled to God, but we are also given a new task. Verses 18-21 speaks of this task. “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation (v:18). In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul reminds the Corinthian church that they were “ambassadors for Christ.” The new position that we have is as ambassadors of Jesus Christ. In other words, we are representatives of Jesus to this world. As a child of God, His representative, and being appointed as an ambassador, we are expected to behave in a way that honors God, serve others as Jesus modeled for us, and deliver the message of reconciliation to people. This could be through words, actions, or showing love and forgiveness.
As recipients of God’s grace, we are called to share the good news of God’s reconciliation. We are called to be ambassadors for Christ, representing Him in the world and inviting others to experience the same grace and newness of life that we have received. Our lives and words should reflect the love of Christ and point others toward reconciliation with God. 
The passage concludes with a profound theological truth: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Jesus, who was without sin, took on the weight of our sin so that we could be declared righteous in God’s eyes. This is the heart of the gospel—the great exchange, where Christ takes our sin and gives us His righteousness. 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank You for making me a new creation in Christ. Thank You for reconciling me to Yourself through the sacrifice of Jesus. Help me to fully embrace my identity as a new creation in Christ. Empower me to be Your ambassador, sharing Your love and message of reconciliation with those around me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

“Successful witnessing is taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.” — Bill Bright

Eapen  Ninan
Mar Thoma Church of South Florida

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