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16 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. 17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given 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 the message of reconciliation to us. 20 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. 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 NRSV)
Dear Friend, a blessed and terrific Tuesday for you! May our hearts be made stronger and more loving by our time spent in God's Word. May He speak to us with our needs being met and may we receive the commission and permission we need to be His witnesses in all things. As we pray, may we pray for the family of Connie Avant from the Gonzales Methodist Church. Connie passed away this morning. May God's comfort and peace be with all who loved her and who will miss her. Pray for your needs and for those who have asked prayers from us.
I remember the day on the college campus when news of a friend who had turned his life over to Jesus. It was a joyous time but one person spoke a negative question, wondering if this conversion would mean a change of personality? Would an arrogant non-Christian become an arrogant Christian? Hmm. Discuss among yourselves. Reading Paul one would say if all things are made new; the heart, the mind, the spirit, why not personality and interpersonal skills? Paul would be one to talk, but he went from an almost fire-breathing persecutor of Christians into a love-breathing evangelist, seeking to make Christians of all the world. Something happened to him and that was his face-to-face encounter with Jesus Himself. One has to believe that as Jesus called Paul by name, that that was a loving, come-home-to-me voice. It had to be like voice of the father of the Prodigal Son; tender, loving, understanding and compassionate. Yesterday I shared with a reader in a private email my prodigal son moment. I've shared it in some previous devotionals of my rebellious hair-growing episode; one of two. As a boy we cut our hair in a Black-owned barber shop that specialized in two styles; Gi and Flat top. The minor difference is that the flat top allows for a three-sided fence on the top of the head; the GI was strictly put-the-helmet-on-me-and-hand-me-the-M1-sir, yes sir! As The Beatles made their impact on the world on that Sunday evening, I politely asked my dad if I could, please, have a part in my hair. I knew I was asking a lot, but I thought how much more cuter I could be if I had enough hair to part it on one side. He must have prayed about it and said yes, and a part was soon on my head. The second time, as a college boy, I decided I no longer wanted to cut my hair and it almost reached my shoulders. I did not look good, but Dad thought I looked hideous and ordered me to cut it or leave home. It was not a polite conversation and if did involve my mother and my grandmother (his Mom) sharing their very loud opposition to the ultimatum that Dad had given me. I had a dorm room I could drive back to and so I made my crying way back to the car. Dad was crying too, but not as much as my Momó or Mom, who were now solidly on Dad's case and as I put my key in the ignition, Dad comes running out of the house and opens the door and hugs me and crying says I don't have to leave. I hugged back and resolved I would drive straight to the barbershop.
Both of us rose above the human level to Paul's "new creation" level. We strive to leave behind the usual and expected human responses to that which only makes sense to God on the spiritual level. And it might have been the season of Lent when this prodigal moment took place.
Lent is a season of transformation—a time to lay down the old and embrace the new life found in Christ. In this passage, Paul reminds us that through Jesus, we are not simply improved versions of our old selves; we are new creations. The old ways of living, thinking, and striving are gone, and we are invited to live in the freedom of God’s grace. It is said that when the Emperor Constantine surrenedered to Jesus, as he presented himself for baptism, he held his sword above the water, for he did not want to surrender his needed weapon of war. Some joke that some Christians do that with their wallets.
This transformation is not our own doing. It is from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Christ. Through the cross, Jesus took our sin, our shame, and our brokenness so that we might be made right with God. This is the heart of the gospel—the great exchange where Christ's righteousness becomes ours.
But reconciliation is not where it ends. Paul says that we are now entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation. As recipients of God’s grace, we are called to reflect His love in the world. Lent is a time to ask: How am I living as a new creation? Am I holding on to old patterns, or am I stepping fully into the life Christ offers?
As we journey through this season, let us remember that God not only redeems us but also calls us to be His ambassadors—bringing hope, peace, and love to a world in need.
PRAYER: Loving God, Thank You for making us a new creation through Christ. In this season of Lent, help us to let go of the old ways that hold me back. Reconcile my heart to Yours so that I may reflect Your love to others. Empower me to live as Your ambassador, sharing the message of hope and grace with those around me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Reflect today on what it means to be a new creation. Are there old habits or burdens you need to surrender to God? Take a step toward reconciliation—with God, with yourself, or with someone else. Let this Lenten journey be a time of renewal and transformation.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
