All Things New

"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 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." ~ 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Now I am sure when you first read the passage above many things came to mind.
1. Wow that is a long passage.
2. What does all of this mean?
3. What on earth is reconciliation and why is it used over and over again?

Well... Yes. It is a long passage and very wordy. But there is a purpose for that. It is for emphasis on the key point. And this is where we come to the word reconciliation.

Reconciliation: to accommodate; make one thing compatible with another; made compatible or consistent.

Now lately life has been stressful. Going a hundred miles an hour with dedication after dedication. And I have had trouble with just finding the time to relax and spend personal time with God. On my drive to swim practice today I didn't turn on the radio and just relaxed. Thought about how blessed I am and just let all the worries and stress go away. Most people would say it is because of the quiet, alone time. I agree with that; but also I believe that during that time I just said to God that I have to trust in Him. And Him only. I realized that I must be reconciled with God. I must become compatible with His love and mercy and consistent in my love for Him.

Of course we are going to go through hard times. Hey, being a teenager with school work, after school activities and drama is not easy! But the Bible says that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. And it says that the old has gone and the new has come! Do you realize what this means? God makes ALL things new. All things. This means that our hope in Christ is not lost. If we are in reconciliation with Christ we are made new. God sent his sinless son to die! For us! If that isn't true love then I don't know what is. We must look to the cross. At the cross God made all things new so that we become the righteousness of God.

Reconciliation isn't just saying that we are compatible with God. It's that we are completely in love with Him and all He has done for us! Last night I talked to someone at my church about getting baptized and becoming a member of the church officially. I was baptized when I was about 7 years old, but this time it is definitely a personal decision. I want to publicly declare my love for the Lord and my reconciliation with Him. For I am so grateful for Him making all things new.


The past has been redeemed
Now forever we will sing

You can make all things new
Only your power can raise us
You can make all things new
Only your love can save us

All hope is not lost
'Cause you make all things new
            -(All Things New by Brett Younker)


Fearless for My Father,
Chanan