From The Old Things To The New

Romans 12:2 – Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will. (NIV)

My husband, daughter and I are now living in what has been the family cottage for the past 40 years. Over the past two years we have completely transformed the cottage into a beautiful home.

Last fall, my good friend brought me some plants out of her garden, and what was until then a sandy hill covered in weeds has been completely transformed into a beautiful rock garden.

My husband saw the finished home in his mind long before it was completed, and my friend saw a lovely garden long before it had grown. This is not unlike what God sees when He looks at us — imperfect human beings transformed into the likeness of His Son, Jesus. Jesus died on the cross for our sins so that we could become beautiful in God's eyes.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 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 men's sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (NIV)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, transform us into the people You want us to be. Grant us the courage to leave behind the weaknesses and inadequacies of our old life, and help us to follow Christ and His new way of life. Bless us so that we can be a blessing to others. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.