–The wonder of being a new creation in Christ.
I think a great way to start a day in a new city is to stroll along its river or visit its Botanical Gardens (Followed of course by wandering round its coffee shops, book shops & stationery shops & grand architecture!)
In Amsterdam I side stepped from the canals & cheese shops to escape to de Hortus -one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world.
This urban jungle contained a rainforest & desert microclimate. It also housed a Caterpillar Nursery where the chrysalises are nurtured , before metamorphosing & emerging Into the Butterfly House. Pretty blue & orange butterflies flew freely around that green house.
In Christ, we are totally transformed- in an even more magnificent way than the humble caterpillar becoming a resplendent butterfly!
Paul writes:
‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!’
(2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)
In Christ we become someone who has never existed before! We undergo a God-given transformation- even more amazing than the metamorphosis that brings forth butterflies! (Which should have been named flutterbies!)
In Christ is a position & location but also a belonging- a whole new identity because of Jesus. We are a brand new creation & have eternal life in Him.
‘It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.’
So, our new position is more than:
our GPS co-ordinates on this planet,
our location as posted on Facebook,
our step on the ladder or social class,
our status, or branch on the family tree.
It’s better than our rank in the race or in the company,
or where we are in life
and love.
The only position that truly matters & counts for time & eternity
is our position in Christ
i.e. whether we are in Christ
or not.
Whether we are in a relationship with Him {by trusting Him for forgiveness} …or not.
As Christians, our true identity, deepest meaning & unshakable security are all in Christ alone.
In Christ is the best place to be,
the ONLY place to be,
to truly BE ,
& really live {not just exist }
It’s more than the difference between a creature that crawls along the earth & one that soars toward heaven.
It’s the difference between:
light & darkness
peace & anxiety
heaven & hell
The greatest blessing is the blessing of being in Christ. For He said: ‘I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of’
When we are in Christ we know:
unlimited grace,
undeserved blessings,
unending love.
We are brought into the privileged position of being in Christ, through grace.
Indeed, day by day, we are living in pure, audacious grace. We experience grace heaped upon grace
In Christ, we are freed from guilt:
‘Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ’
In Him we have all that we need!
In Him we are complete, totally complete in body, soul, mind & spirit.
In Him we have real, abundant, everlasting life.
Outside of Him,
apart from Him,
aside from Him,
we are nothing:
-a hollow cocoon
-a dead twig
-an empty page
-a lifeless body
‘But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.’
(Ephesians 2:13 NIV)
We are:
Chosen & called
Flawed but forgiven
Found & treasured
Redeemed & restored
We have :
Power & purpose
We are:
Beloved & blessed
In Christ!
Blessings,
Ruth x
Blessed! 