In Christ

Good Morning! 

College football came to an end last night when LSU defeated Clemson for the national title. Our preacher is a graduate of LSU … and a real fan.  He warned us Sunday that he expects to be obnoxious about the Tigers this coming week. I fully expect to see him with purple and gold hair, wearing LSU garments from head to toe.  And … it will all be in good fun.  

He also brought a great sermon Sunday from 2^nd Corinthians 5:17. You will recognize the verse:

2 Corinthians 5:17 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.^[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Footnotes:

2 Corinthians 5:17 Or creature

What does it mean to be “in Christ”?  God presents to each human being the challenge of being “in Christ”.  Many people assume that they are “children of God” just because they were born. We are not. John, in his gospel, points out that God has given us the opportunity to become children of God … but only “in Christ” (John 1:12-13).  Instead, until we believe (place our trust for our salvation in the completed work of Christ Jesus) we are creations of God.

When we reach back into the story of the creation of all we know as this world, we find that God created man from the dust of the ground and breathed life into His creation.  God would later take from that creation a rib to form woman.  He placed His creation into a perfect place with a perfect plan. But man chose to disobey … and sIn was born in man … a rebellious nature that makes man want to be on an equal plane as his Creator.  Sin separates.  And thus the creature was separated from the Creator. 

For a person to be “in Christ”, he or she must first recognize that he or she is separated from God by his or her rebellious nature.  Our desire for self … be it pleasure or any other emotion … creates enmity between us and God.  

For a person to be “in Christ”, he or she must realize that nothing he or she can or will do (other than to receive Christ as Lord and Savior) can change that rebellious nature. We can’t work it out. We can’t give it out.  We can’t live it out. 

For a person to be “in Christ”, he or she must embrace the finished work of the God-man, Jesus of Nazareth who is God made flesh.  He is the perfect sacrifice offered for the sIn of humankind. All who will place their trust in Him will be “born again” … a new creation of God with all the old things passed away.  Jesus is the ONLY sacrifice that is sufficient.

The question each of us must face this good day is “am I in Christ?”  Have I recognized, realized and embraced Jesus as my Lord and my Savior?  Am I a new creation … with my rebellious nature placed under the blood that Jesus shed for me? 

I realize that when I write this post, I am speaking to many who are “already in the choir” … people who have placed their trust in Christ Jesus.  But, perhaps, there is one who is still searching … not knowing for certain … living in fear of the future.  If you that one, let me share with you that you can be in Christ this very day.  The prayer I will offer today is often referred to as “the sinner’s prayer” … simple words asking God to change the person’s heart so that he or she can become a child of God … and a new creation.  Pray that prayer … believing in our Savior, Christ Jesus.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

  

Prayer:  Father, I now know that I am a sinner.  I turn away from my sin, trusting in Jesus as my Lord and as my Savior … claiming Your promise that if I confess with my mouth and believe in my heart that Jesus is Lord, I will be saved.  I believe … help me in my unbelief.  I ask this in the precious Name of Jesus. Amen.

Scripture for today:  2^nd Corinthians 5:17