Because of Easter DAY 3

DAY 3 - Embrace the New You

2 Corinthians 5:16-17
 
Because Jesus is alive and in charge, we can be a new person - even if you can’t always see it.

Have you ever been misunderstood? In 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul was fighting for his reputation. Rival teachers were telling his church in Corinth a pack of lies about Paul. As a result, he felt misunderstood. People couldn’t see his authority as an apostle through his human weakness.

The same thing happened to Jesus. Few people recognized his real identity before his resurrection on Easter. Many saw him with “a worldly point of view” (v.17). After Easter, his disciples realized the full truth of who he is. Millions around the world eventually saw Jesus’ real identity, too. That’s why Paul can say “we don’t see him that way any longer.”

Sometimes it’s hard to see yourself as a new person in Christ. But you are! When Jesus rose from the dead on Easter, he unleashed the first parts of God’s new creation. Everyone in Christ is part of that new creation - even you! We’re all still growing more and more into that person, but we do that by seeing ourselves as new in Christ.

You’re a new person! Embrace your identity in Jesus. No matter what you’ve done or where you’ve come from, you are new in Christ because he’s alive and in charge.

REFLECT
When do you find it hard to see yourself as a new person in Christ?

PRAY
Jesus, you started God’s new creation on Easter. And you made me a new creation, too! Thank you! Amen.