Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Making Old Things New

The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away.  Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life?  If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God!  In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way.  So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever!  2 Corinthians 3:7-11

Change is never easy.  The other day, I was looking at my work routine, and realized there was something that I was not making enough time for.  Now I know how to incorporate changes in my routine.  That’s the easy part.  However, the challenge for me is to do something new.  How can a person with a successful regular routine start to do something new?  Anyone who tries a new diet or starts an exercise routine knows that the journey is easy to start but challenging to consistently continue or finish.  It was in that I focused on those things that God makes new; namely me!  The day I was born again meant that I was made new.  However as I look back, I am far different from the person I was then.  So perhaps trusting God to change me was the ‘new’ then, and knowing God intimately is the ‘new’ today, and in the future, I will find another ‘new.’

God continually makes old things new.  We spend a great deal of time focused on the words of God.  That may very well be the ‘new’ part of a follower’s journey.  Perhaps it is how the word changes one’s heart, or it could be acting on God’s prompting sooner.  Maybe you might be at a stage where you’ve done all that, and are trying to prayerfully figure out what is next.  All of this is change inspired by God, and it is important to take a moment to stop, pause, and reflect on what God is doing in your life.  Think about where you were when you gave your life to Him.  How about the last greatest challenge where hope seemed lost and you thought you’d lost faith.  Maybe you are thinking about the first time you trusted God and He showed His faithfulness.  We have all grown to know God better, and proof of that is looking back to know how He has shaped us step by step.  That is exciting stuff!


Surety of eternal life through Jesus Christ is truly the best change ever!  I love Paul’s excitement in today’s verses telling us of both our sad punishment and God’s grace.  As we focus on the law that sentenced us to death, through Christ, we are given a new life that with greater faith and growth changes us into new people willing to follow Him out of love.  Let us rejoice over an awesome God who continually changes us to resemble the one who saved us in the very beginning; Jesus Christ.  What changes in your life would you like to give thanks to God?  How can your encourage another’s change through sharing your transformation?  My prayer is that we celebrate God’s grace that continually makes old things new.  Amen.

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