Therefore, If Any Man Be In Christ, All Things Are Become New - Part 2252

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. (II Corinthians 5:17-20)

In this blog, II Corinthians 5:19 is cited often in reference to the ministry of reconciliation wherein God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. For those who may not know, this ministry of reconciliation began when the Lord God declared peace and good will toward men in Luke 2:14. It was in this current dispensation of grace, wherein the promise of the Lord doing a "new thing" was displayed.

"Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them." (Isaiah 42:9)

"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:19)

Before "the Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing," the Lord of hosts gave us insight into what was to come. (Hebrews 9:8)

Not an addendum to the Old Testament of ordinances, but instead a new thing, wherein God our Saviour sets us free. As He said through the prophet Isaiah, "I have even from the beginning declared [it] to thee; before it came to pass I shewed [it] thee: lest thou shouldest say, "Mine idol hath done them, and My graven image, and My molten image, hath commanded them." Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare [it]? I have showed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them. They are created now, and not from the beginning; even before the day when thou heard them not; lest thou shouldest say, "Behold, I knew them." (Isaiah 48:5-7)

You see, nothing is hid from those who love the Lord thy God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. In this new dispensation of grace, His Name is JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23)

Another example? "And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What thing is this? What new doctrine [is] this? For with authority commands He even the unclean spirits, and they do obey Him." And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee." (Mark 1:26-28)

This is the Lord that we serve, who fills us with His peace and joy and love when we turn our hearts and minds toward Him. He laid the path with open arms when He shed His precious, holy blood on that cross, so that we might have abundant life in Him. And for the record, we (His beloved creation) were so much on His mind that He decided to bring us salvation even before the world was formed. Now that is love of the highest order. He set the stage for us to commune with our Creator. All we have to do is say yes and turn our lives over to Him -- as our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ.

His promise?

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said unto me, "Write: for these words are true and faithful." And He said unto me, "It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely." (Revelation 21:4-6)

Stand in the offering plate.