Tuesday, June 24, 2003
Tuesday, June 24, 2003
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away;
see, everything has become new!
Preaching is so much easier than practicing, isn't it? That's why the little word "if" is so
important in our lesson for today. "If" anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation. THIS
VERSE IS NOT TALKING ABOUT THE CASUAL BELIEVER. It is clear that not every
churchgoer can be said to be "in Christ." Not every officer in the church can be said to be "in
Christ." Not even every pastor can be said to be "in Christ."
Sometimes it's like a certain misprint that appeared in one church bulletin. It read like this: "Our
minister is leaving the church this Sunday. Will you please send in a small donation? The
congregation wants to give him a little momentum."
Not every church member, not every officer, not every pastor is "in Christ." And how do we
know that's true? Because of what follows: "If anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation."
That's a pretty good way to tell: does our commitment to Christ make us a new person?
(2 Corinthians 5.17
NRSV)
People are kind of funny, aren't they? I was just thinking of how many businesses in Utah have
joined with the tourist bureau to urge residents of that magnificent state to spend their vacation
dollars at home. One such promotion, sponsored by a food-store chain, was a photo contest.
The theme was "Travel Utah First." The grand prize was a trip to Hawaii.
God of change, make me a new person, as I become a believer in Christ. Amen.
