Lenten Devotional
By Pastor Vicki Harrison: Made New

Scripture Reading:

2 Cor. 5: 14-17, Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!  This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Reflection:

The Apostle Paul, who wrote this Scripture, is saying, “I know personally that God’s love can change people!”  Because of Christ’s death on the cross, his old way of life – his angry, Christian-hating, law-obsessed way of life – it died up on that cross with Jesus.  Now, he has an intimate relationship with a life-giving Savior.  He became a different person when he received new life in Jesus.  In fact, Paul went from a man who persecuted and stoned Christ-followers to one of the strongest, most amazing Christian missionaries of all time.  He was made new.  This was great news.

Even better news is that Paul is saying and we can be made new too.  We also can experience transformation in Jesus Christ.  No matter who we are or what we’ve done, when we say yes to Jesus, our old life dies and a new life begins.  Remember, when we say yes to Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Living God, comes and makes a home within us, transforming us from the inside out.  This doesn’t mean we just try a little harder and we become a better person.  No, we become new people!  

And yet, as we walk further on our faith journey, life gets messy and difficult.  Sometimes, it feels like our “newness” has worn off.  We don’t feel new anymore.  In my own life, as the pandemic has worn on, I simply felt tired and heavy burdened, not new! What God has taught me is that I have to be very intentional about staying connected, walking hand in hand with Jesus through prayer, reading Scripture, and daily worship. Being made new is not a one-time experience.  I need God’s renewing power every, single day! I need to constantly, continuously be reminded of who and whose I am. I am made new and transformed, a new creation, and a child of the one true King!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for your amazing love and sacrifice.  Thank you for salvation and the newness and transformation that can only come from you. Jesus, I need you.  Fill me anew today so that I can be renewed and refreshed by your grace and power. I want to live like a new person, one who is totally and fully focused on you.  In Your Name, Amen.