2 Corinthians 5 Devotions by Stephen Taylor

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Mom and I watched The Passion of the Christ last night, and while watching it, I wanted to yell out for them to stop it and that Jesus was going through all of that for them!

Then I realized that at one time or another in my life, I was each and every person in that movie! And then I cried.

I cried because of what He went through.

I cried because I don’t appreciate it as much as I should.

I cried because I take my salvation for granted at times.

And I cried because I know in my heart that He would have done it again if it meant saving us! 

Salvation may be free to us who believe, but it came at a huge cost to our King!! Thankfully, that wasn’t the end of His story but the beginning of our life with Him! Jesus is alive and well and wants that close relationship with me and you!! Just being good isn’t good enough for me anymore. It’s time to step it up!!

Let’s give glory, honor, and praise to our risen King and the only one that could save our souls!!!! I Praise God. I love you all. Thank you, Jesus!!!!!

 

2 Corinthians 5:17

If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Amen!! Today, God reminded me of this, and that throughout my life, I have been known by many names: addict, liar, sluggard, drunkard, selfish, stingy, hateful, jealous – the list goes on and on!

But because of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, I have a new name! It’s Forgiven and Loved Child of God!!! Praise Jesus!!! It wasn’t by anything I did but by His love, sacrifice, and resurrection!!!!

Jesus didn’t die to reconcile Himself to God. He did it to reconcile us!! I say this to encourage myself and you to not lose heart and remember that we aren’t the sum of our past mistakes but are new creations – still flawed but forgiven!!!! I would be lost without the mercy, grace, and strength God gives me daily!!!!

I love you all. God bless!!! Glory to God and the risen Lamb of God!!!!!!

 

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

As I was working out this morning, I head a line in a song that says, “ I will love you not for what you have done but what you will become!” That was God speaking straight to me and to you when Jesus gave His life for us on the cross! We are not the sum of our past mistakes; it’s all about Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and savior and seeking His will! I have made horrible decisions throughout my life, but because of the blood shed for us on Calvary, I’m white as snow, and I thank the Lord for that! 

When you’re feeling down, look up and praise God for Him, His Son, and The Holy Spirit! Shame and fear are not from our Father but His mercy and grace are!!!!!!!

I love you all! God bless! Thank You, Jesus!!!!!

 

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

 

This is a super familiar passage to me, but last night, God laid it on my heart again. I used to be counted out, but now I’m counted on, and all because Jesus counts me as one of His own! It is no longer evil sinner Stephen who lives but forgiven child of God Stephen that dwells in me!!! It’s nothing I did or could have done for myself but only the love of Jesus that could change me and my future. I relied on my own strength for far too long and eventually, every time, it failed me.

 

To me, the choice was I could either continue to walk in who I was or in who Christ is!!! One thing was certain: we both couldn’t rule my life, so I had to make a choice. I had to get out of the way in order for Christ to be King of my life. Stephen had to die so that Christ could live in him!! I was tired of struggling, so it was time to surrender.

 

This promise is so beautiful to me because it tells me who or what I was doesn’t matter anymore. It’s who He says I am now, and I am His!!! You don’t have to wait till we get to Heaven to get the, “new you,” but you can start right now by accepting Christ into your life! Yesterday is gone, tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, but today, He promises you can become brand new in Him!

 

Isaiah 43:18-19 - “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

 

Who doesn’t want to be brand new?

 

Be encouraged and be encouraging!!! I love you all, God bless, and Glory to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit!