Daily Devotional: Tuesday, January 17 - Newness In Christ

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17

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The dictionary defines the word “celebrate” as “acknowledge a significant or happy day or event with a social gathering or enjoyable activity.” What Jesus did for all mankind is the greatest celebration in human history. And He invites us to celebrate with Him! Our new life in Christ is worth throwing a party for.

With the new year underway, many resolutions have been broken, eating habits have gone bad and treadmills are getting dusty. We as human beings attempt to do a lot of things in our own strength. We make our own plans without consulting the One who knows what’s best for us. I am all for New Year’s resolutions; I am all for making and creating habits. But what I am not for is not including the One who knows what’s best for me.

We spend so much time and energy trying to change ourselves, but to no avail. Thank God for the cross! Jesus gave us Heavenly resources to use on our journey with Him.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 and see how Paul encouraged the early Church about its new life in Christ. The people of Corinth lived very sexual, prideful and overall immoral lives. But when they received Christ, that life was put to death, and Paul is encouraging them to celebrate their new lives in Christ.

In this new year, are you also celebrating your new life in Christ?

— LaMorris Crawford, former Cincinnati Bengals chaplain

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