DEVOTION – DAY 589

2 Corinthians 5:17 “A New Creation”

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

The Bible tells us in verses like 2 Corinthians 5:17 that Christians are united to Jesus Christ through faith in Him, and a commitment to Him as their Lord and Savior. When that happens, they will become spiritually renewed. God will begin to change the converted Christian to be more Christ-Like. It is a slow life-long process in order that Christ is reflected in that person. 

We have come across people who tells us that they have always been quick to lose their temper. But that should not be the case. If they are in Christ, they must choose to exercise patience and learn to bite their tongue, and not respond in anger when things do not go their way. When they lose their temper and say they have always been like that, they are in fact admitting that they have not fully surrendered this part of their lives to the Lord to be changed. The Lord will send situations and circumstances in their lives to cause them to be tested in this area till they learn to control their temper and to respond in a more loving and less judgmental manner. We know a woman who was hot-tempered. But when she became a Christian, she knew this was an area in her life she needed to change. Her bad or hot temper had affected her relationships with others. In time, she became gentler and patient with others. She is now much easier to get along with. 

There is also the case of Leandro De Souza, a young man living in Brazil. He was fascinated with tattoos and at one stage, tattoos covered 95% of his body. Then, he became a Christian. He quickly realized that he had a hunger to know God through the Bible. He knew he needed to make changes in his life. Daily, there were inner changes in his attitudes and behavior. Then, he realized that his inner new self was no longer compatible with all the pagan tattoos on his body. In 2024/25, he made the painful and costly decision to have all his tattoos removed by lasers. Today, his tattoo free body is testimony to an outward change that reflects the reality of the inward change that the Lord had made in him. Leandro is a new creation in Christ.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for the work of the Holy Spirit in helping us to be more and more like the Lord Jesus. Please help us to submit and be committed to following you all the days of our lives. We humbly pray in the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. What changes do you and your family members see in you since you have become a Christian?
  2. Are there any habits, attitudes and behaviors you need to ask the Lord to help you changes so that you can be more Christ-like?

  3. What excuses have you been giving for continuing to behave in ways that are not pleasing to the Lord?

  4. Will you surrender these bad behaviors to the Lord so that you can be transformed?