Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
“If anyone be in Christ, there is a new creation; the old things are gone, and now, new things have come, and all things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ.”
2Corinthians 5:17
When one is born again, he is not a new creature locked into a miserable existence in an old creation; God is far greater than that. For those who love God and are the called according to His purpose, everything becomes new and everything works together for their good. Even the Devil is transformed into your servant, doing only what will lead to your eventual salvation and joy.
For those who enter into Christ through the baptism of the holy Ghost, it is a fact that all of creation is made new. Instead of all things working against you toward death, all things are given to you, as Paul wrote, “All things are yours, and you are Christ’s and Christ is God’s.” If you are in Christ, the winds blow only as you need them to blow, the sun shines only for your good, the nations go to war with one another to change circumstances for the better for you, the leaves fall to the earth for your benefit, and every creature lives only to serve you. Even unhappy circumstances are blended in with happier ones to make your heart better and to give you a greater understanding of your heavenly Father.
This is not mere wishful thinking; this is the reality of life in Christ. There may be just a few who comprehend this wonderful truth, but that does not lessen its power or its reality. Jesus is the Son of God; he is Lord of all creation, visible and invisible, in heaven, on the earth, or under the earth. And we have been chosen to be “joint-heirs with him” of all things, eagerly awaiting the day when we are manifested to be the sons of God with Christ (Rom. 8:19) and then begin our reign with Jesus over this earth for a thousand years.