Daily devotion – STOP
2Co 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
This verse was my first memory verse as a new believer. It tells me so much and it is filled with the power of God.
But today it seems to have lost its lustre and truth in the Church.
Jesus Christ died so that we might live!
Our new relationship with Christ has brought enormous blessing, power and freedom to every believer. We now have a new relationship also with the world and the people around us.
We no longer look at life the way it used to be. Everything has become new.
We see those who do not know Christ around us and it breaks our heart to see them lost and living in despair and darkness. Trapped by sin and under the power of Satan. We see them as Christ sees them – sheep without a Shepherd.
Now that I am born again, a new creature in Christ, God has given me the power to walk victoriously in a newness of life.
Rom 6:4
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Because we have died that we might live through Him, we now no longer live unto ourselves.
2Co 5:15
and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
If a lost sinner has been to the Cross and been saved, how can he or she spend the rest of their lives in selfishness?
There is a very powerful word that 2 Corinthians 5:17 has empowered to every new believer. It’s the word STOP!
Now God has given us the power to STOP living a sinful way of life.
God has given us the power to STOP and say no when temptation comes our way.
God has given us the power to STOP living our old lifestyle, because we are new creatures in Christ.
There are two important points to note as we close this discussion. If you are struggling with sin, your old habits and way of living are not changing even though you go to Church or read the Bible and pray.
1. You have never truly surrendered your life to Christ, confessed your sins before Him and asked Him to forgive you and be the Lord and Saviour of your life.
2. Or, you are living in disobedience. When sin comes your way, even though the Holy Spirit prompts and checks your spirit, you disobey Him and ignore His leading and thus quench His power in your life.
Today, come before God, make 2 Corinthians 5:17 a memory verse for yourself and believe every word that it says.
God can change you. God can cleanse you. God can empower you.
This is why Jesus came…..