Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – If – 2 Corinthians 5:17 – A New Creation – Growing As Disciples
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
What’s New?
What’s New? That is an interesting question. Why are you asking me, “What’s new?” I want you to think about what is new in your life since the day that you came to believe in me. That would be quite a long list. I have plenty of time to hear all that you have to say to me. The newness that you brought into my life began on day one with you. What do you mean by that? On day one with you I turned away from my sin to follow you. I asked you to forgive me of my all sins and cleanse me of all my unrighteousness. I said that I was giving my life to you and that I would follow you as my Savior and Lord. You answered my prayer and did all that I asked of you. Yes, I did. There was something more that I didn’t know was coming. What’s that? You filled me with your Holy Spirit. Your Holy Spirit made it so I could be born again to a new life in you. On day one, you made me to be your new creation. Yes, I did.
What changed since you become my new creation? I could live in a close and intimate relationship with you. I could talk to you in prayer. We could have an ongoing conversation together. You would draw near to me as I would draw near to you. I could listen to you as you also listened to me. That’s right. What else? Did everything in your life change all at once? What do you mean by that? Did you completely leave your old life so that you could live the new life I had for you to live? There were many things from my old sinful live that fell away right away. Much of my old life no longer appealed to me. I wanted to fully live the new life that you had given me to live in you. What happened? I began to see that not all of my old life of sin fell away. I found that quite discouraging. Why is that? I thought that you would make me a completely new creation all at once. That’s exactly what I did. Your spirit was reborn. I gave you a new heart and mind. Didn’t it become your desire to love me with all your heart and mind and soul and strength? Yes, that was and still is my desire. You thought you might be a completely new creation on day one? You thought I might finish all my work in your life in one day? I guess so. Well, you now know that my work continues in your life every day. Yes, I now know that and I welcome your ongoing work in my life. I will make you and every day new as you continue to love, follow and serve me.
Lord, thank you for drawing me to you. You made it possible for me to come to believe in you. You have made me to be a completely new creation. You have given me a completely new life to live you in you. Keep on molding and shaping my life as I follow you. Amen
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If – 2 Corinthians 5-17 – A New Creation – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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