Becoming Holy - Part 2

Focus Scripture

2 Corinthians 5 : 14-21(NRSV)

For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.

From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Daily Byte

To experience God’s holiness is to become a new creation. It is a radical change from what we knew before, who we were before, to seeing ourselves and other differently, to living with different values, motivations and attitudes. Two words that describe this new-creation living: love and reconciliation. We are controlled by Christ’s love, and, having been reconciled to God, we are now called to be reconcilers. How better could we answer the call to become holy - whole, compassionate and hospitable?

How has your faith changed you? What does it mean for you to see yourself through God’s eyes? How easily do you view others through the lens of God’s love? Where in your life do you need to experience and share God’s love more? Where do you need to embrace the ministry of reconciliation?

Pray As You Go

A new creation - that’s what you call me;
a new person, with new attitudes and ideas,
new ways of being, new way of relating,
thank you for this incredible gift.

But, to be honest, I don’t always feel new;
all too often the old person manages to creep back in,
take over the reins,
and entrap me in my own brokenness.

Thank you, Jesus, for all that you did to make me new,
and for all you keep doing to help me stay that way;

Thank you, Jesus, that in you I can see myself
and other differently,
and discover the freedom and joy of being
both reconciled and reconciler.

Amen.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission.

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com