"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." (II Corinthians 5:17-19)
When we are in Christ, our very being/essence is renewed. Our minds are renewed; that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)
Not just what is good, but what is "that" good! Not just what is deemed acceptable by those around us but aligned with the heavenly -- established in the perfect will of God -- according to the riches of His glory, wherein He strengthens the inner man. As well, we are given a new heart, wherein the Lord dwells in our hearts by faith. As the Lord states, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new Spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26)
These are the promises that are everlasting, from our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ -- who never leaves us nor forsakes us. He shed His precious, holy blood on a cross so that we might have abundant, everlasting life in Him.
" ... that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:16-19)
In other words, when we turn to the Lord Jesus by faith, we begin to see all things anew. Our heart desires change because the King of kings and Lord of lords now dwells within. And in so doing, He instills His hope within our hearts so that we can arise to the very purpose which He Himself called us into -- whilst we were still in our mother's womb. In this, we become a new people, a chosen generation, wherein He has clothed us with His abundant love.
Thus, we have so very much to be thankful for. Our house of this tabernacle being shed of earthly desires in favour of becoming fully clothed in His righteousness, wherein our hearts and minds are sustained through Christ Jesus.
What else happens? We are filled with His peace by the very Him who has given unto us everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace. In all things the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father -- as the Holy Ghost comforts our hearts, and establishes us in every good word and work. In response to His love, we become reconciled to the Lord Jesus who redeemed us into everlasting life. (II Thessalonians 2:16-17)
This is why we are so willing to "put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:22-24)
When David the psalmist declared His love and praise for the Lord, He wrote -- "who redeems thy life from destruction; who crowns thee with loving kindness and tender mercies; who satisfies thy mouth with good things, so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles." (Psalm 103:4-5)
Why is this important? Because the Lord loved us enough to reconcile us to Himself by Jesus Christ, giving to us the ministry of reconciliation. Thus, when the Lord fills us with His Spirit, He transforms our earthly house -- our physical body and mind -- that formerly confined us to the things of this world. Now, we have purpose and are at peace, and filled with His love in abundance to extend to one another.
Our cups runneth over.
He has renewed our minds and hearts to see ALL things differently. A new creature with old things passed away, full of His peace that passes all human understanding. Apostle Paul scribed it this way:
"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now He that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (for we walk by faith, not by sight:) we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in His body, according to that He hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we Him no more.
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. For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (II Corinthians 5:1-21)
Thus, let "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding ... keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)
Stand in the offering plate.
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