Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Brand-New - Bonita Y. McCoy


When I think of the word creation, I think of beginnings.
In the beginning, God created…These two words to me go together.

They draw in my mind pictures of weddings…creation of a family.
Or newborn babies…creation of life, or the sprouting of plants in the spring…creation of, well, creation.

There is another word though that should also conjure up for us as believers the notion of creation and new beginnings, and that word is Salvation.

Now, the definition of salvation is being rescued, saved, or preserved. However, in the Christian faith, the word entails so much more.

Salvation is that fresh start, a saving for a purpose. God renewing us, forgiving us.

It is the start of a lifelong commitment to do life the Father’s way.

It is God placing His Spirit in us and creating a new man. Colossians 3:10 “And have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him.” (KJ2000 Bible)

When we identify with Christ’s death on the cross and accept it as payment for our sins, God remakes us.  We become brand-new.

Look at Paul, himself. He was so changed that he needed a new name. No longer Saul, the one who persecuted the church, he became Paul, the messenger of God.

 “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14.

Remember as believers, we have been made new. We leave the past in the past, and we press on towards the prize…as a brand-new creation.

Prayer: Father, thank you for your provision of salvation. May we take this message of hope and life to others, today. 

Amen

bym