A New Creation

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"  (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)

Do you realize that you are a new creation?  That is, if you have accepted Jesus into your heart and made Him your Lord, then you are a new creation.  "...The old has gone, the new is here!"

It truly means you are no longer your old self---the old, fleshy, sinful person you were previously.  You are now a new creation.  You have been born again spiritually.  You are a totally new person. 

In one of His letters to the Corinth church, the Apostle Paul spoke about God giving us the ministry of reconciliation.  He wanted all the believers there to know that God had reconciled us to Himself through Christ.  In addition, God was reconciling the entire world to Himself...not counting people's sins against them.  

God gave all believers this ministry---the ministry of reconciliation.  Paul continued on about all believers being Christ's ambassadors and being committed to the message of reconciliation. 

Our Father God no longer sees us as our old or former selves.  Neither should we view ourselves in that way.  He sees us, His children, just like He sees His Son, Jesus. 

Pure.  Blameless.  (Philippians 2:14-16)  Holy.  (1Peter 1:15-16)  Righteous.  (2 Corinthians 5:21)   Above Reproach.  Perfect.  (Matthew 5:48)  Complete. 

We should also view ourselves the way our Father views us.  In light of what Jesus did for us on the cross.  (See Isaiah 53)

To think and/or say otherwise is to say that you don't believe what Jesus did for you.  Or...you don't believe He did enough.  Or...perhaps, you think you have to work for it.  Whatever the reason, it is enough.  It was enough.  You don't have to work for it.  It is finished!  (John 19:30)  Believe it!

When we are in Christ, we are new people.  We are in Christ, and He is in us.  As one Bible teacher has previously said…We are spiritual beings living in a body with a soul.  We are viewed by God as new creations.  We are new creations.  The old has passed away.  The new has come.

 

Copyright 2014 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Renewing Our Minds

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."  (Romans 12:2, NIV) 

Renewing our minds is very important to the transformation process of all believers in Jesus Christ.  It helps us to not conform to the pattern (i.e. design, style, model, form) of this world but it also helps us to know God's good, pleasing and perfect will for us.  

'Renewing our minds' simply means restoring, recovering, or reviving our minds. 

The Apostle Paul spoke about the wise person with the Spirit who knows the mind of the Lord.

 "...But we have the mind of Christ."  (1 Corinthians 2:16, NIV)

He also talked about believers becoming the new creation in Christ. 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"  (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV) 

It takes us continually renewing our minds to keep on becoming the new creation in Jesus Christ. 

How do we renew our minds? 

First, we purposefully read and study the Bible (God's word).  We schedule time on our daily calendar or set aside time amongst our daily activities. 

Perhaps, we also participate in other Biblically-based opportunities whether at home, church, or elsewhere.  It could be a small group Bible study.  Watch and listen to a strong, Biblical teaching on television.  Listen to a Biblical message on the radio.  Maybe, listen to the Bible on a CD. 

What are some other ways you can personally renew your mind? 


Copyright 2014 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Let Jesus Out!

I have observed members of the body of Jesus Christ quenching the Spirit of God in their lives.  (1 Thessalonians 5:19)  I have also experienced the effects of it myself because of others' poor choices.  Perhaps, you also have observed it and experienced it yourself.  After all, we each affect one another when we are a part of the body of Christ.  (1 Corinthians 12:26)

Because believers do not obey God's word, they are not exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit.  (Galatians 5:22-23)  They are not becoming more like Jesus Christ.  Unfortunately, some Christians are becoming less like Him.

They choose to give into the flesh or the old sinful nature.  It's a shame.  It's disturbing.  It's sad.  Perhaps, they don't realize that they are a new creation.  (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Most of all, it's disobedient to God and His word.  It dishonors Him and does not glorify Him at all.  One of the main purposes is for His children to honor and glorify Him.  (1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Timothy 1:17)

I want to say to those people within the body, "Let Jesus Out!"  Let Him live in and through you.  (Romans 6:1-14)  Allow Him to change you from the inside out.

Of course, it takes a daily renewal of the mind for all believers to experience the transformation.  (Romans 12:2)  We cannot be slack about being true followers and disciples of Jesus Christ.  It takes time, effort, communication, and an on-going relationship with Him. 

The more we spend time with Him---communing with Him---the more we will look and act like Him.  Make sure that you have let Jesus into your heart and life.  (Romans 10:9-10)  Then, you can definitely "Let Jesus Out!"

Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

I See Dead People!

The video clip that you just saw was from the movie The Sixth Sense.  Bruce Willis portrayed one of the main characters, Dr. Malcolm Crowe.  Haley Joel Osment, portrayed another main character who was the doctor's young patient.

The young patient told the doctor his secret that "I see dead people!"

I will let you in on a little secret of mine.  I see dead people!  However, it is not the kind of dead people that the young character saw in this movie.  He saw physically dead people!

I see spiritually dead people!  Perhaps, I should say those people who act like they are spiritually dead.  It is not people that you would think either.  It is born-again believers!  Children of God!  Disciples of Jesus Christ!  It is happening in the body of Christ.  The people who are not spiritually dead, but they are acting like it. 

Knowingly and willfully sinning against God!  Continuing in sin!  Acting spiritually dead!

God's word specifically says that Jesus "died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again."  (2 Cor 5:15, NIV) 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"  (2 Cor 5:17, NIV)

Why are God's people acting the old creation?  Why is the body of Jesus Christ acting like the rest of this world?

Do you not know that you are a new creation?  Have you not truly received God's truth?

I really do not understand it.  I do not like it either.

We are set apart from this world!  We are salt and light!  (Matt 5:13-16)  We are more than conquerors!  (Rom 8:37)

I want to be able to see and say that "I see alive people!"  People who are spiritually alive!  People who act spiritually alive!  People who are living out God's word...His truth!

Please receive His word...His truth!  Then, walk it out in your life!  (2 Cor 5:7)


Copyright 2012 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Sinner vs. Saint

"Oh, I am just an old sinner saved by Grace."

How many times have you made that statement? How many times have you heard someone else say it?

Many Christians really think and believe that statement is true. Otherwise, they would not say it. To those people who speak it out, it becomes true for them. It becomes their reality.

God's word says, "But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them." (Matthew 15:18, NIV)

In Proverbs, God tells us "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he..." (Proverbs 23:7a, NKJV) By applying this word here, you can know the meaning of this scripture reference. In other words...if you think that you are just a sinner saved by Grace, you will behave that way. You will act as if you are still an old sinner.

Once you have accepted Jesus into your heart and into your life, you are a new person. The old has passed away. The new has come now. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Your identity has been changed with your re-birth. As a new creation in Christ Jesus, you are a Saint of God. Receive it! Hear it! Speak it! You are a Saint! (Ephesians 1:18, NKJV)

Therefore, please renew your mind on God's word. (Romans 12:2) Accept your new identity in Christ Jesus! You are a Saint of God! (Ephesians 4:12, NKJV) Keep speaking it and hearing it until it sinks deep down into your spirit. (Romans 10:17) Allow God's word and His Spirit to change you...your mind, your thoughts, your speech, your heart, and eventually your actions.

When you do so, you will then think and believe that this statement is true. “I am a Saint of God!” (Ephesians 3:18, NKJV)


Copyright 2012 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.