March 14

Saturday, March 14
Devotion: A New Creation in Christ
Read: 2 Corinthians 5:16–21
Growing up I was a child who was considered to be a great student, and also very shy and introverted. Only those who really knew me well got to see the talkative, funny & silly side. I’d rather be at school or at home reading a book, or playing with my sisters, than at school camp or at sleepovers with friends. My Mom always called me a “homebody.”
When I got older, I realized that a big part of my preference for home had more to do with the comfort of being in close proximity to my Mom and my family, because they were my safe place. My young heart possessed big fears and concerns. I’d lost my Daddy when I was four years old to cancer. All that I knew was that he had gotten really sick and had gone to heaven. All of a sudden it was just me, my Mom and my older sister. And if that could happen to him, what if my Mom was taken away too?
About 3 years later, I sat in Sunday night service at our church and heard a message about Jesus loving me so much that He died for me, and that God made a home in heaven for all of those who would believe, accept Him as Savior, repent and live for Him. I already knew about Jesus, but that night something changed. I felt stirred in my heart to go forward and pray. I knew that I needed Him in my heart.
2 Corinthians 5:16 speaks of how once we thought of Christ from merely a human point of view, but how differently we know Him now!
That night at church, for the first time in my life, I saw God as my Father. Not just this supreme being in heaven who created everything, but He became personal. I knew that I was NOT fatherless! I began to think of myself as having two fathers. I remember at times other kids saying to me, “Oh, you don’t have a Dad, right?” Before, that would sting - and I didn’t really know how to answer. After this I started to respond that yes, I do have a Dad — he’s just in heaven with God. I had peace in knowing I would have another home one day that would be permanent, where I could be together again with my Dad AND my Father!
2 Cor. 5:17 says that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person! The old life is gone; a new life has begun! The old story of fear no longer had the final word over my identity.
Verse 18 says, “And all of this is a gift from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ…”
Reconciliation means a broken relationship restored. Because of sin, we were separated from God. But God did not wait for us to fix the distance. He moved toward us. Through Christ we can be reconciled back to our Heavenly Father, our sins no longer being counted against us. And how was that possible? Verse 21 tells us: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” Jesus took our sin, our fear, our brokenness upon Himself. In return, we are given His righteousness and a restored relationship with the Father. Lent reminds us that this reconciliation came at a cost — our new identity was purchased through Christ’s suffering.

Praise God for this gift! We can be made a completely new creation!
I think about that scared, brokenhearted little girl who didn’t want to go too far from home. She was like a caterpillar inside her cocoon. That place felt safe, and the world outside felt scary and unsure. However, God had a better plan. He made her a new creation in Christ. A butterfly emerged, and learned that she could confidently fly, because she belonged to the One who made everything!
And now, because we have been reconciled, we have been entrusted with the message of reconciliation.
We have the amazing privilege of taking this message to the world. He’s made us ambassadors to those all around us who desperately need the love of Jesus — those like me whose hearts long for a Father. Those who are stuck in the circumstances of life, who have experienced tragedy, loss, or the damage of sin. Those who are afraid. Those who need the hope that this “home” is not forever.

Reflect:
Where are you still living from your old story instead of your new identity in Christ?
Who in your life is longing for “home,” and how might God use you as His ambassador to reach them?

Pray:
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much that You gave your own son, so that we could be reconciled back to you. We are so blessed to have the opportunity of a personal relationship with You, our Father! Thank you Jesus for taking on our sins, so that we have the hope of heaven. Help us to live as a new creation in Christ, as we reflect You to those around us, especially in this season of Lent. In Your name, Amen!