In C.S. Lewis's beloved tale "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," we encounter a world frozen in perpetual winter—a land where it is "always winter but never Christmas." This bleak landscape serves as a powerful metaphor for a world trapped in sin and despair. But everything changes with four simple words: "Aslan is on the move."
As the great lion Aslan approaches, the world begins to thaw. Snow melts, flowers bloom, and rivers flow freely once more. It's not just a change in weather; it's the beginning of resurrection. This transformation echoes a profound spiritual truth found in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
This verse encapsulates a revolutionary concept—that in Christ, we don't merely get a second chance. We become something entirely new. But what does it mean to be a "new creation," and how does this identity reshape our perspective and purpose?
First, we must understand that this newness is a divine declaration. When we are "in Christ," we are united with Him in identity, story, and community. We become part of something far greater than ourselves—we are incorporated into God's unfolding plan of redemption.
The phrase "new creation" speaks not just of individual transformation but of cosmic renewal. It announces the arrival of God's kingdom, a new world breaking into the old. As believers, our very lives become signs of this new reality. We are living proof that the future world of peace, wholeness, and unbroken communion with God is both here and coming in fullness.
This new identity brings about a radical reorientation in how we see ourselves and others. No longer do we regard people "according to the flesh"—judging by outward appearances, accomplishments, or failures. Instead, we learn to see through the lens of Christ, recognizing the redemptive potential in every person.
In Christ, we are freed from the exhausting pursuit of self-justification. We don't need to find ourselves because we are found in Him. We don't need to fight for security because we are eternally secure in His love. This profound shift allows us to extend the same grace we've received to others, seeing them not as the sum of their worst moments but as individuals beloved by God and candidates for His transforming work.
Perhaps most astoundingly, this new creation status comes with a kingly commission. We are entrusted with the "ministry of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:18). In a world fractured by sin and alienation from God, we become ambassadors of Christ, charged with the task of inviting others into friendship with their Creator.
This calling applies to every believer, not just those in professional ministry. Whether you're a parent, a student, an office worker, or a retiree, you are a minister of reconciliation in your sphere of influence. Your life is meant to be a signpost pointing to the reality of God's kingdom.
However, we often shrink back from this calling, believing the lie that God can't or won't use us. We may feel inadequate, burdened by our own struggles, or simply apathetic to the mission. But these attitudes reveal a misunderstanding of both God's heart and the nature of our calling.
God does not use us because we are perfect or have all the answers. He uses us because He loves us and delights in working through us. Like a father who invites his young child to "help" with a task, not because the child is particularly skilled but because he enjoys their company, our heavenly Father invites us to participate in His work out of love.
We are not offering an airtight argument for faith; we are offering an encounter with an airtight person—Jesus Christ. Even in our brokenness, we can share how we have found something in Jesus that we've found nowhere else. Our very weakness becomes a platform for God's strength to shine through.
So where do we begin in living out this new creation identity? Start by recognizing the people and opportunities God has already placed in your life. Who are the individuals in your immediate circles—family, coworkers, classmates, neighbors—who need to experience God's reconciling love? Pray for them. Look for ways to demonstrate Christ's kindness and grace in your interactions.
Don't be afraid to be "weird" for Christ. In a world that often rejects God's values, standing firm in your faith may feel uncomfortable. But remember, you're not alone, and what you believe is true. The good news of Jesus is worth any temporary discomfort or potential embarrassment.
As we embrace our identity as new creations and ministers of reconciliation, we participate in a cosmic drama far grander than our individual lives. We become living signs that the old world of sin and death is passing away, and a new world of life and reconciliation is breaking in.
The invitation is clear: Don't do nothing. Be the one who moves toward need when others remain seated. Jump at opportunities to meet needs and share the hope of Christ. For in doing so, we fulfill our highest calling—to be ambassadors of the King, bringing a taste of heaven to earth.
Remember the profound truth of 2 Corinthians 5:21: "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." This is the heart of the gospel—that Christ took our place, bearing our sin, so that we might be clothed in His righteousness. As we grasp the magnitude of this exchange, how can we not be compelled to share such good news with a world in desperate need of reconciliation?
Let us live as new creations, fully embracing our role as Christ's ambassadors. For in doing so, we participate in the greatest story ever told—the story of God reconciling all things to Himself through Jesus Christ.
As the great lion Aslan approaches, the world begins to thaw. Snow melts, flowers bloom, and rivers flow freely once more. It's not just a change in weather; it's the beginning of resurrection. This transformation echoes a profound spiritual truth found in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
This verse encapsulates a revolutionary concept—that in Christ, we don't merely get a second chance. We become something entirely new. But what does it mean to be a "new creation," and how does this identity reshape our perspective and purpose?
First, we must understand that this newness is a divine declaration. When we are "in Christ," we are united with Him in identity, story, and community. We become part of something far greater than ourselves—we are incorporated into God's unfolding plan of redemption.
The phrase "new creation" speaks not just of individual transformation but of cosmic renewal. It announces the arrival of God's kingdom, a new world breaking into the old. As believers, our very lives become signs of this new reality. We are living proof that the future world of peace, wholeness, and unbroken communion with God is both here and coming in fullness.
This new identity brings about a radical reorientation in how we see ourselves and others. No longer do we regard people "according to the flesh"—judging by outward appearances, accomplishments, or failures. Instead, we learn to see through the lens of Christ, recognizing the redemptive potential in every person.
In Christ, we are freed from the exhausting pursuit of self-justification. We don't need to find ourselves because we are found in Him. We don't need to fight for security because we are eternally secure in His love. This profound shift allows us to extend the same grace we've received to others, seeing them not as the sum of their worst moments but as individuals beloved by God and candidates for His transforming work.
Perhaps most astoundingly, this new creation status comes with a kingly commission. We are entrusted with the "ministry of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:18). In a world fractured by sin and alienation from God, we become ambassadors of Christ, charged with the task of inviting others into friendship with their Creator.
This calling applies to every believer, not just those in professional ministry. Whether you're a parent, a student, an office worker, or a retiree, you are a minister of reconciliation in your sphere of influence. Your life is meant to be a signpost pointing to the reality of God's kingdom.
However, we often shrink back from this calling, believing the lie that God can't or won't use us. We may feel inadequate, burdened by our own struggles, or simply apathetic to the mission. But these attitudes reveal a misunderstanding of both God's heart and the nature of our calling.
God does not use us because we are perfect or have all the answers. He uses us because He loves us and delights in working through us. Like a father who invites his young child to "help" with a task, not because the child is particularly skilled but because he enjoys their company, our heavenly Father invites us to participate in His work out of love.
We are not offering an airtight argument for faith; we are offering an encounter with an airtight person—Jesus Christ. Even in our brokenness, we can share how we have found something in Jesus that we've found nowhere else. Our very weakness becomes a platform for God's strength to shine through.
So where do we begin in living out this new creation identity? Start by recognizing the people and opportunities God has already placed in your life. Who are the individuals in your immediate circles—family, coworkers, classmates, neighbors—who need to experience God's reconciling love? Pray for them. Look for ways to demonstrate Christ's kindness and grace in your interactions.
Don't be afraid to be "weird" for Christ. In a world that often rejects God's values, standing firm in your faith may feel uncomfortable. But remember, you're not alone, and what you believe is true. The good news of Jesus is worth any temporary discomfort or potential embarrassment.
As we embrace our identity as new creations and ministers of reconciliation, we participate in a cosmic drama far grander than our individual lives. We become living signs that the old world of sin and death is passing away, and a new world of life and reconciliation is breaking in.
The invitation is clear: Don't do nothing. Be the one who moves toward need when others remain seated. Jump at opportunities to meet needs and share the hope of Christ. For in doing so, we fulfill our highest calling—to be ambassadors of the King, bringing a taste of heaven to earth.
Remember the profound truth of 2 Corinthians 5:21: "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." This is the heart of the gospel—that Christ took our place, bearing our sin, so that we might be clothed in His righteousness. As we grasp the magnitude of this exchange, how can we not be compelled to share such good news with a world in desperate need of reconciliation?
Let us live as new creations, fully embracing our role as Christ's ambassadors. For in doing so, we participate in the greatest story ever told—the story of God reconciling all things to Himself through Jesus Christ.
Pastor Sam Morgan
Posted in 2 Corinthians: Onward We Stumble
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