2 Corinthians 5:13-17 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 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.[b] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Some may indeed say that we are out of our minds because we believe in a God who manifested Himself to us in the flesh. Some might say that we are crazy because we believe that God could have come down to earth and become flesh to offer Himself as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.
But though they say we are crazy, we know that we are merely trusting the God who created the heaves and the earth. It is enough for us to take Him at His word even though we didn’t live thousands of years ago. We didn’t see Him walk the earth, perform miracles and heal the ailments of many. Though we who live now, didn’t see Him raise Lazarus from the dead, we believe that He did. Though we who live now, didn’t see Him rise from the grave, we believe that He did.
Many people make many claims about themselves, placing pride where humility should be. Many make the claims that self sufficiency can and will get one through life and absolute bliss can be had through independence. This however, is a much more bold claim than Jesus Christ coming to earth to die for our sins. It is much more elusive a claim because there is no account anywhere in human history of perfection embodied in anyone but Jesus alone. And certainly nobody who could love with a self sacrifice type of love that surpasses understanding. The reason it surpasses understanding is because not many even understand the depths of this type of sacrifice and what it really means.
All other world religions perform acts to get a return. They are works based faiths and philosophies. Jesus performed that act for us so that we would get the return. This selfless act is unique and unparalleled; it is one of a kind. He sacrificed Himself for us so that we could live in Him. This was prefaced by His living and dying for us. He asks that we be like Him. He asks us to shed both this mortal flesh and the desire to be our own.
If we belong to Him, we can stop fighting to belong. If we can depend on Him, then we can stop fighting for our independence. For some reason, we have believed the lie that freedom comes from not belonging to anyone or anything and being independent. But, true freedom comes from a dependent belonging to the family of God. This can only be had in Jesus.
Regarding people from a worldly perspective can exist no longer for the Christian. We must acknowledge that each believer is a new creation in Christ. And in this same vein, if we are new creations, then we can no longer treat others the way that we once did. We used to regard Jesus with a worldly perspective. They thought they were crucifying a man, but they were actually fulfilling the purpose of God. We can learn more about who we actually are if we can tear away the veil and put on our Spiritual eyes.
This Week, regard yourself as a new creation in Christ. When you come to see with your new eyes that which God has for you, only then will you see clearly what you are really able to offer others through the love of Jesus. The is the offering of the self sacrifice type of love that now lives in you. The Old is Gone, Behold the New Has Come!
