A new creature…in Christ!
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
When we are born again, we are a new creature….
…yes….but still a creature.
(As the creature we must face the reality of our creatureliness.
Reaping and sowing (Gal. 6:7) is one of those realities. Some people believe that God does not chasten Christians. That His mercy outweighs HIs governmental rights. No.
As His new creature we have the privilege to see and bow to HIs corrections….and actually love the hand that chastens us. It is not the correction we love….but Him, Who would never do us harm. Therefore all that comes to us, comes for our good. As a new creature, we have grace to see and to yield to HIs corrections….no matter how they come.
To bow before Him, as one who certainly deserves a lot more.
There is no merit in what we suffer, but in the changed attitude in submitting to His rebukes!)
A creature brought into being for the Creator’s Purpose! “…to them that are the called according to His Purpose…”
Everyone has a purpose….in the Will of God, but it is only when we are born again, that we can enter into that Purpose… and fulfill it.
The lost man surely has a purpose….but he will never fulfill it. It is too high, too broad, too great to be able to be done without the power of the Holy Spirit.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep HIs commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
But man, without God, can not do this…..nor does he want to.
Only the redeemed can walk with God.
2 Timothy 1:9 “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”
According to His Purpose and grace. Now He has a purpose for us through grace. It is not of merit…we do not earn it…..we do not deserve it!
But by His purpose for us…and His grace for us….we are called to service.
(How much is given us….in Christ Jesus! Several times in this small book alone….”in Christ Jesus” is mentioned….
…”His own purpose and grace,…given us in Christ Jesus” 2 Tim. 1:9
…”faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” 2 Tim 1:13
…”be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim. 2:1
…”obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” 2 Tim.2:10
…”all that will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” 2 Tim.3:12
As Paul wrote in another book….”For in HIm (Christ) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
And ye are complete in Him (Christ), which is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:9-10)
In Christ we are a new creature….given a new nature, which longs for the things of God.
Romans 8:6 “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
In Christ, we touch other people’s lives….are we manifesting His Presence with us?
Titus 3:8 “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”
In Christ, we glory in tribulations, for they work patience…a choice fruit of the Spirit.
Romans 5:3 “…but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;”
1 Peter 4:19 “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the Will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”
It says Creator here,….not Lord, or God…but Creator. Because we were “created in Christ Jesus unto good works” (Ephesians 2:10)..”which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
And when did He ordain us to walk in them?
Ephesians 1:4 “According as He hath chosen us in Him (Christ) before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:”
In Christ, we can know the love of Christ,…”which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” (Ephesians 3:19)
We, who are born again, are in Christ Jesus. All that He has won for us, is at our disposal…and all that we are to walk in,… is before us.
What will we do with it? Sometimes we think we want what the Lord has for us….but are unsure of the cost.
About a year ago, I felt a lack in my spiritual life. I took it to the Lord for an answer….but got none. Weeks passed…
I finally came to Him and said, “Whatever is the cost, Lord, to draw me closer to You…to remove whatever hinders…to have the closest possible fellowship with You…do it and I will pay the cost.
Last year, there was much humbling….and toward the end of the year, pain and hospital for weeks away from my husband and family….
….and alone, the Lord showed me a great deal.
Let me give this verse….a choice one,…and God blesses it!
1 Thessalonians 5:18-19 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Quench not the Spirit.”
If we begin here….with the thanksgiving He deserves….we will not quench the Spirit, but will have the grace needed…to see us through all that comes in our way to heaven.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 