New creations

 

오늘의 묵상 (고후5:16~20)

 

 

16. 그러므로 우리는 이제부터 그 어떤 사람도 세상의 관점으로 알지 않겠습니다. 전에는 우리가 그리스도에 대해서도 세상의 관점으로 알았으나, 이제는 더 이상 그렇게 하지 않겠습니다.

 

17. 그러므로 누구든지 그리스도 안에 있으면 새로운 창조입니다. 이전 것들은 지나갔고, 보십시오. 새 것들이 와 있습니다.

 

18. 이 모든 것은 하나님께로부터 왔습니다. 하나님께서는 그리스도를 통해 우리를 자신과 화목시키시고 또한 우리에게 화목의 직분을 맡기셨습니다.

 

19. 하나님께서는 그리스도 안에서 이 세상을 하나님 자신과 화목하게 하셨으며, 사람들의 죄를 묻지 않으셨습니다. 그리고 하나님께서는 우리에게 화목케 하는 말씀을 맡기셨습니다.

 

20. 그러므로 우리는 그리스도를 대신하여 일하는  대사입니다. 하나님께서는 우리를 시켜 여러분을 권하십니다. 이제 그리스도를 대신하여 여러분에게 권합니다. 하나님과 화목하십시오.

 

 

 

 

 

NEW CREATIONS

 

 

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Cor. 5:17)

 

My husband, Bruce, found a new hobby—restoring motorcycles. He bought a broken-down heap and took it apart. He threw away the old parts that didn't work well and cleaned what remained. After shopping on eBay for bargain replacement parts, Bruce carefully replaced each worn-out piece with a brand-new one. Like a meticulous scientist, he made sure each part fit perfectly. He didn't have any pieces left over! Sanding, painting, and polishing kept Bruce busy for a long time. How's the finished product? The shiny bike looks and rides like new. It was an amazing restoration.

 

When we invite Christ to come into our lives and become our Lord, He makes changes in us too. He takes our broken-down sinful nature and forgives us, wiping our slate clean. He cleanses our hearts and makes us into new creatures. Old habits and destructive behaviors diminish as we welcome new lifestyle changes. The Lord fills us with courage and hope, as we yield to Him. This process of making us into new creatures continues throughout our lifetime and He leads us along the way. God washes us through His Word. He also prunes the unfruitful areas of our lives. When our full transformation is complete, it will be awesome—as we become more like Jesus.

 

—Judy Gyde

 

 

Thank the Lord for the wonderful work He's doing in your life.