A new person, a new life

Devotional, week 14

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Cor 5:17, NIV)

When we work or study we naturally relate to co-workers and co-students. Whether we like it or not, the people around us will discover what is important to us as well as what we pay less attention to. They will see how we conduct our lives, how we treat others and how we act under pressure and in temptations. If they can see good fruit originating from our faith, some of them will want to learn more about Jesus.  

Gypsy Smith (1860-1947), an Irish evangelist, said, “There are five Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and the Christian. Some people will never read the first four.”  

It may sound intimidating that we are given the role of being the fifth Gospel. Some of us may feel that this brings us under a lot of pressure. But instead of overthinking what we should do to display who Jesus is, we may instead just focus on Jesus and our fellowship with Him.  

The Bible says that “anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Cor 5:17. It does not say that we will become a new person and get a new life. It says that this has happened already. As the Holy Spirit reminds us of things in us which need to change, we are of course called to obey His promptings. As we learn to obey, let us at the same time trust that God works out his transformation in us and that our new life in Christ is already visible and displays who Jesus is. Then we can live authentic lives together with the people around us, instead of trying to put on a show using our own power and skill. As we share our victories and struggles and take part in other people’s lives, we can rest assured that the Holy Spirit is at work in us and through us.  

Let us pray! May God bless us and make us a blessing to many people as we live and work for Him this week.