NEW CREATIONS

I know I’m a week late, but I saw this analogy and thought it appropriate to share on any day of the year because of its message.

Have you thought about how being a Christian is like being a pumpkin? I know that might sound strange, but consider how we become new creations in Christ and how…

*God chooses each of us—you and me—and wants us to be part of His family.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.  –Ephesians 1:4-6  (NIV)

Have you considered how every single one of us is God’s chosen one? Indeed, my dear reader, YOU are His chosen one! God picked the Israelites as His chosen ones to bring the message of salvation to all people. We are all God’s adopted children because of Jesus’ act of salvation. What great love is bestowed upon us!  

REFLECTION:

Have you taken time to reflect on and know deep in your heart how you personally are God’s chosen one?
What impact does knowing you are God’s adopted child have on your life?

 

Photo courtesy of Leonard J Matthews under Creative Commons License (CC BY-ND 2.0) 

*God washes away the dirt and cleans us up.

Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.”  –Zechariah 3:3-4  (NIV)

When we come to put our faith and life in Jesus, God washes away the dirt of our past, especially our lack of repentance. God clothed us in the finest of garments when Jesus shed His blood, and we were washed clean. We are new creations.

REFLECTION:

Do you live as a child of God, cleansed by Jesus’ blood?
Are you clothed in the fine garments of love and forgiveness?

   

*God softens and opens up our hearts as He rids us of all the yucky stuff inside us.

For I will gather you up from all the nations and bring you home again to your land. “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.  –Ezekiel 36:24-26  (NLT)

It takes time for God to rid us of the yucky stuff that is in us as He purifies us daily to become more like Jesus. Sometimes He has to scoop hard to root out of us the sin of pride, envy, or selfishness. Our hearts of stone are replaced with softened hearts and God’s spirit of love, peace, and joy.

REFLECTION:

What yucky stuff is God still rooting out of you?
Can you honestly say your heart is more tender and responsive than it is hard?

 

*God carves us with a new smiling face as we rejoice in Him.

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.  –Psalm 126:2-3  (NIV)

As we allow God to work in our lives and hearts, we become the people He intends us to be. We recognize God working in us, and we see the fruits of the Spirit. The fruits of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control flow from our lives. Our countenances reflect the joy of God’s goodness as we rejoice in all He is doing in us.

 REFLECTION:

Can people see the joy of the Lord in your face and smile?
What fruit of the Spirit do you need more of?

 

Photo courtesy of dayvid42 under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

*God puts His light inside us to shine for the entire world to see.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  –Matthew 5:16  (NIV)

How wonderful it is when we allow God’s light to shine in and through our lives into the whole world. We are transformed people and have the honor and privilege of shining God’s light into a sometimes dark world. We shine God’s light by doing good as we glorify Him with our lives. 

REFLECTION:

What is one way you shine God’s light into this world?
Who has lit up your world today by shining God’s light?

 

Be encouraged this week to reflect on how you are a new creation and…

 

…you are God’s chosen one, adopted into His family.

…you are washed clean by Jesus’ blood and clothed in the finest garments.

…God is continually scooping out the yucky stuff and softening your heart.

…God carves a big smile on your face as you rejoice in Him.

…you can shine God’s light on all you encounter.

 

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  –Ephesians 2:10  (NIV)