Our Life Defined By Christ
Monday’s Verse:
From 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Thinking about the purpose of my sermon at church this weekend, I came close to using this verse as a wonderful example of how to show God's love to the people we meet.
In Christ, we are not merely improved or reformed; we are made new by His saving work. St. Paul points us away from self-construction and toward the gift of grace: our old life of sin and death has passed away, and in Jesus we receive a new identity, a new hope, and a new beginning. This is the heart of the Gospel—that God does not wait for us to remake ourselves, but creates us anew in Christ.
For the Christian, this new creation is both a promise and a calling. We still struggle with the old Adam, but we live now by faith in the One who has forgiven us, claimed us in Baptism, and continues to renew us through His Word and Sacraments. Our life is no longer defined by guilt, failure, or fear, but by the mercy of the crucified and risen Lord.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for making us new in You. Put to death what is old and sinful in us, and renew us by Your Spirit, that we may live each day as Your redeemed people. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
The photo today was created by Gemini.