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From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (1 Corinthians 5:16-21)
May this be a blessed Tuesday for you my dear Friend! I pray indeed all things be new in your life and in the lives of your loved ones. Would you say you are a better, if not newer person than you were twenty years ago? I hope the answer is a resounding YES!
I have always been amazed when I meet and work with people who later tell me, "You should have seen me years ago; no one would believe that I live this way now!" Others are more honest, "I'm so glad you didn't see me at my worst! You would not believe what I was capable of doing then, that I dare not do today!" And in all cases, these were people who took seriously the need in their personal lives to be reconciled with Jesus. And as Paul well knew in his own personal life, those who do reconcile themselves to Christ become new creations. The old has indeed passed away, and our perspective becomes new and we see all things in a new way as well. We now share in this "ministry of reconciliation," which helps people know that "their trespasses (sins) against them are now forgiven and forgotten. Our work is that of an ambassador for Christ Jesus to share the simple message, "Be reconciled to God." That was the message of yesterday's Gospel story of the prodigal son; Come home to God.
The "far country" may have been right in your kitchen. It may have been at the corner bar. It may have been places that now you're ashamed you frequented, or it may have simply been words or thoughts that ruined a relationship with someone meaningful. The good news is that those confessed and repented before the Lord are forgiven and forgotten. The old has indeed passed away, and the new is here with us!
PRAYER: Loving Father we celebrate Your love and your willingness to forgive us our sins. Lord, if anyone reading this prayer has not yet confessed and turned over to You their old lives and sins, receive them now; grant them forgiveness and make their lives new. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Help someone know about the home that awaits them when they turn their lives over to God!
Eradio Valverde
