“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Don’t you love when people go out of their way to remind you and others around you of who you used to be? Or making sure to point out that you continue to have struggles in one area or another, even after giving our lives to Christ? It happens to me and frankly it’s frustrating as heck.
I’m not sure if the persons that do it are consciously making the decision to make those comments or if it’s just part of their personality. But seriously…I’m a woman in the 21st century, I already have enough things through television, movies and social media to remind me of where I fall short. Every. Single. Day.
Then comes along the ‘unaccomplished’ goals in life. The ones that you hoped you would have done or completed by the ripe old age of _____. The job that you wanted to have, the kids that didn’t happen for one reason or another. The relationships that failed and the bank accounts that aren’t as overflowing as you’d like them to be.
Society expects so much from people, it is no wonder that the suicide rate has drastically increased over the past few decades. If you don’t have that successful job, great marriage, healthy body and overflowing bank account…you failed.
Or have you?
The enemy is a LIAR!
Friends, the enemy is a liar. As John 10:10 tells us “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…” He comes to steal the joy out of your life, to kill your dreams and destroy your relationships. He lies to us about how we should feel about ourselves , our situations and those around us. Lies he loves to use others to convince us of. Joy does not come from the things that we have, the money in our bank accounts or even our relationships. The only thing, or rather person, that can fill that hole that is constantly within us is Jesus. Yeah, I know. It sounds corny. Maybe it is. But it’s still true.
I’ve been there. Wanting all those things above and then some. Right now we are going through some trials that make me concerned about finances. And all I can do tonight is thank Jesus for being right here beside me. I truly do not know how people go through life trials without leaning into Him. That is the reason that when I had difficulty falling back to sleep the other morning, He placed that scripture from Joshua into my thoughts. So, I went and I read it and was reminded that God loves me and is always with me.
Listen…I love my kids. I adore my husband, I am grateful for my friends. I love my small house and am grateful to be able to have food in my tummy, clothes on my back and this laptop to write to all of you. But all this means nothing without Jesus. In the latter half of John 10:10 Jesus tells us; “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Abundantly isn’t necessarily speaking of finances, though He is not against that, rather He wants us to live a life that is fulfilling. I love the definitions that the concordance shows for abundance; in the sense of beyond; superabundant (in quantity) or superior (in quality); very highly beyond…does that sound like God wants us to have a boring, unfulfilled life?? NO!
Tonight, let us, you and I, begin to remind ourselves who Jesus says we are. Starting with the verse above.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 – This scripture is awesome. It is telling us that when we are ‘in Christ’ that we can be at a place of rest. And we can be at rest-because HE will handle it for us. It also reminds us that when we give our lives to Christ that we become new. We are no longer the people that we were. We are found to be found righteous in God’s eyes-through His son Jesus. Although people will try to remind us of our past and even areas that we may continue to struggle in…we are still New Creations and found to be righteous. Nothing takes that away.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 Although this a brief line of scripture it is so strong and so important. Why? Because it tells us that we are NOT condemned by God. Once we give our lives to Jesus and ask His forgiveness, it is ALL FORGIVEN. Not some. Not most. ALL. The enemy will do all he can to convince us that God can forgive everyone but someone like you, who did the things that you did in your past. Friends, do not believe that lie! Remind him that you are a child of God, and take that nice hike back to hell in Jesus’ name.
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” Philippians 3:20 This is one of my favorites when life gets tough and people are not being nice. It is a reminder that, as a believer, this is not my home. My true home is in Heaven in the presence of God and Jesus. Although I am in no rush to get there, I am looking forward to it. We may suffer physically and emotionally here but when we go home, all will be well. FOREVER!
Friends, there are so many scripture verses that reminds us of who we are and that God will never leave our side. Even when it feels like He did. He didn’t and He won’t. Lean into Him. Search the scriptures for the promises He gives us.
Lifting each of you in prayer for strength, comfort and guidance.
In Jesus’ precious name.
Tara
