N is for New Creation
My laptop has a big green REFURBISHED sticker on the bottom. Since I like a deal as much as the next girl, a returned/repaired unit appeals to me. The discount convinces me to look past the fact that someone else used it before me.
When God saves you, he doesn’t just clean you up and put you on the discount shelf. Through His blood on the cross He made you brand new. Not seconds. Not damaged goods.
Brand New
What does that mean? It means you are no longer a slave to sin, unable to be blameless. Now, you have a desire for and in God’s power the ability to live righteously. Until heaven, you will battle your old nature. But it doesn’t have to dominate you. And when you do sin? God’s forgiveness and right standing in Him is yours for the asking.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 2 Cor. 5:17
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.” Eph. 2:4-5
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Gal. 2:20
“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Col. 3:9-10
“To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Eph. 4:22-24
There is a line in Shake by MercyMe that says, “My name is not shamed no more.” Amen! Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus that I am a new creation! Whenever this song comes on the radio in the car it’s so very hard to sit still and yet my teenagers forbid me from so much as wiggling my toes. I like this rendition – a couple of scenes made me laugh out loud. I especially like the two non-shakers who randomly appear throughout the video -reminds me of my non-shaker children. (Who do love Jesus – just not their off-key, off-beat Mama* singing at the top of her lungs.)
*Anybody remember the Seinfeld episode when Elaine danced? Yeah…enough said.
Yay! I have a smile on my face because of this post! Your formula: your experience, God’s Word, then some fun is a winning combination. One of my favorite posts!