Not a Remodel

Christian Devotional by Pastor Cecil Thompson

2 Corinthians 5:17-19

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

There are more than a few things that drive me up the wall. Okay, there are a lot of things that do that. I am normally a laid back individual, but there are certain things that I fail to understand. For instance: “Distressing!” No—not state of mind, but intentionally damaging a wood surface to make it appear to be old and dinged up.

In my world when something gets dinged up, it is time for it to bid farewell. (Well, there go my readers who prefer antiques!)

Let me get serious and look at a spiritual lesson from today’s Scripture. There are many spiritual truths to be found here, but I would like to focus our attention on the transformation of an unregenerate heart to one that is made new.

Just a few blocks from our home there was a fire in the home of a friend of ours, Don Trosper. From the outside it seemed to have little noticeable damage. But as the insurance adjusters made their way through the fire damage they came to the conclusion that it would cost more to repair the damage than to demolish and start all over to build a new house.

Their conclusion was that if you try to remodel a fire-damaged house, you end up with a patch-work dwelling that is neither old nor new. Wow! Read that once again and see if it applies to those who “claim” to have been saved, but who still live in that same old shack that has never been transformed into something new.

Is it any wonder that people of the world are repulsed by anything to do with
Christianity when they see those who claim to have a relationship with Jesus, yet are no different than others?

God does not want us to paint-up or fix-up our miserable, sinful life—He wants us to become a new creation. Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3, that we MUST be born again. We are to be a new creation, not a remodeled one.

That old house that Don Trosper and his family had lived in is now gone. It was demolished and even the foundation was bulldozed. But guess what?! There are signs that a new work is in progress. A new house will soon stand where the old house once stood. It will be at the same location—same address—but it will be a new house.

Do you live in the same old dilapidated and sinful body that you have occupied all of your life? It is time for major demolition! We do this by confessing our sins and throwing ourselves at the feet of the cross and having His blood applied to our sins. It is only then that we can observe that old sinful things have passed away and a new life in Christ emerges.

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!

– – – Pastor Cecil

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