Old Vs. New
I like a new stuff. I like a new car. I like a new computer. I like a new house. I like a lot of things that are brand new. I also love old stuff. I link vintage cars and trucks. I like old furniture (aka. Antiques). I like old people (I resemble that description!). There are some things that I can think of that are super old and there are some things that are brand new. The old has stood the tests of time. The new often hasn’t been tested yet. I’ve even heard others say, “they don’t make them like they used too”. If I’m not careful I can get stuck in the “good old days” of yesterday.
Paul writes to the church at Corinth and reminds them that they are a new person when they accept Christ. In this way, I’m a new person because my heart is “renewed” every day. Check this out….
13 If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. 14 Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:13-15, 17 NLT)
I used to be one way until I met Jesus – now I’m totally different!
The Lord has changed my perspective.
The Lord has changed my values.
The Lord has changed what I see as success.
The Lord has changed EVERYTHING!
In my old way of thinking, I was thinking for me. I was self-centered and focused on me, me, me. He has flipped my thinking to think only of Him, Him, Him! When I live for Him, I adopt His view and His values. I am way different than I used to be. The old Dwayne is history – it is no longer Dwayne who dwells in this old body, it is Jesus. I want others to notice Him when they see me, not the man I used to be.
I’m thankful for this new heart – this renewed heart.
I’m thankful for His Presence that renews my soul all day, every day!
Pressing On!
Dwayne