2 CORINTHIANS 5
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
2 CORINTHIANS 5 PROOF THAT YOU ARE IN CHRIST
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
Jesus Christ died so we can be reconciled with God
All those who belong to him, follows his path
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation
He no longer follows his flesh, but the Spirit’s transformation.
In this letter, Paul warns the Corinthian believers to no longer follow their old patterns which are conformed to the systems of the world. He talks about God’s ministry of reconciliation which was manifested when he gave his only begotten Son Jesus to us all. When God created mankind, it was to be able to have a full relationship with man, but the sin of Adam and Eve changed that plan. Because their loyalty changed from God to Satan, everything became twisted and corrupted. Since God is love, he cannot tolerate sin and disobedience, so they were cast out of the garden of Eden. The consequences of their sin were passed on to all human beings. As sin progressed, God’s anger got to its fullest and he annihilated those first humans he created in a flood and left only Noah’s family because he found favor with God. God still wanted to have his plan of being with us, so he knew that we cannot save ourselves from the sinful nature we inherited from our original parents. So, he gave his only Son, Jesus so the sinful nature and God’s wrath will be appeased. When we believe in Jesus, we become a new creation.
REFLECTION
- Share how the process of transformation happened in your life as a believer.
