A New Creation

“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

I’ve never been a huge fan of bumper stickers or window clings for cars, but occasionally, one will catch my eye and make me smile. I had one of those moments today. Driving down an unfamiliar street in the desert of southern California, a scripture reference posted in the back window of the car in front of me caught my eye.

                                               2 Corinthians 5:17

Completely intrigued and wanting to remember what this verse said, I grabbed my phone and opened up the Bible app searching for the words to this verse (before you think that I was texting and driving, rest assured in knowing that I was at a stoplight), and as I read it out loud, my heart was flooded with joy as I recited this truth.

Just hours later, I found myself in deep conversation with dear friends about this very thing: We are a new creation in Christ. We are no longer the old version of ourselves all cleaned up. That old version passed away the moment we embraced the love of Jesus Christ.

What does that mean?

The old faults, shortcomings, and defeat that once defined us no longer can, because Christ’s beauty now rests on us. Someone needs to hear that today. If you are in Christ, you are no longer a sum of all your past faults. Christ has wiped that slate clean. Righteousness that shines a brilliant white covers our ugliness, and we now radiate Christ Himself. We are a new creation in Him, and it is Him alone who defines us now. What freedom can be found in this simple truth! How long have you and I wallowed in the failures of our pasts and allowed ourselves to be bound by lies instead of embracing grace and walking in the freedom that Christ died to give us? How refreshing it is to be found in the fold of God’s mercy and grace, covered in His love, and made new because of His sacrifice. God offers a fresh start, a clean slate to those who would come to Him in faith. In Him alone newness can be found. Search no further than the pages of His awesome Word. The Truth is found within.