People, Places, and Things
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17
When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we become a new creation and our lives change. We think differently and we live with purpose. We have new and better relationships and we see people and the world differently. We have a new God-given identity and pride is replaced with a humble heart, secure in Christ. The person God created begins to emerge and any old, bad habits start to disappear.
Becoming this new creation is the process of being molded to the mind and heart of Christ. The more Christ-like we become the more we understand God and the closer relationship we have with him. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 2:11) We become more of a new creation through our relationship with Christ. The driving force to serve the Lord comes from our desire to know him. God is love and serving him increases the love in our hearts. The more of his love and compassion that flows through us to others, the more we understand our Lord. We cannot know our Lord without our hearts being filled with his love, because it is love that is the foundation of our relationship with our Savior. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8)
In order to have this growing relationship, all things must become new. We, as well as people, places, and things, become new. We may continue with our place of employment and we may continue living with our families, but both become new. They are new because we now represent Christ to our fellow workers and to our family. Our associations tend to be with like- minded Christians connected through the Spirit. Our number of associations will increase as we minister and become known in God’s family throughout the community. Those with whom we spend most of our time, and the places we go, and the things we do have all changed. We have not only replaced sinful places and things, but we have also replaced worldly things, for Godly ones. If we want to be a Godly person we spend time with Godly people. If we spend time with worldly people we start following the ways of the world. People, places, and things, if any one of these is changed, then all three normally change. If we hang around worldly people we end up going with them to worldly places and doing worldly things.
Today, be aware of where you go, what you do, and who you choose to be a close friend. Satan will use people to pull you away from God. Be closer to the Lord than anyone, because God will give you the wisdom in choosing close, Godly friends. Know that you are a new creation and the past is gone and the new has come. This includes people, places, and things.
Let’s Pray: Lord, give me the wisdom not to yield to Satan’s temptations through people, places, and things. Help me to realize that I am new creation in Christ and please keep molding me to be more like Christ. Guide me through friendships, destinations, and activities, that I may strive to be pleasing to you in everything. In Jesus’ name, Amen