We, as Believers, can claim to be a new creation. I know many of us in the Christian 12-step recovery program refer to ourselves in this way when we introduce ourselves. If you give this a little thought, it is a powerful statement and one that will change lives.
All the things of our past become just that...the past. All the guilt we carried around with us for years and years can be dumped by the wayside. There is still the reality of consequences, but forgiveness of our sins and the burden of our guilt and shame was taken upon Jesus' shoulders.
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
There is now no more condemnation. The ministry of reconciliation began when Jesus allowed himself to be sacrificed. When we allow ourselves to take this in, it is HUGE. When an alcoholic or addict in Celebrate Recovery shares their testimony they can declare they are a new creation in Christ.
Consequences remain like poor health following years of bad choices, but the soul is wiped clean. Forgiveness because we have been reconciled with Christ.
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