Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 

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

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more