Wednesday March 1, 2017
“a second creation – another genesis”
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new
creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become
new. – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Born Again –
The Doctrine of Regeneration
Pictures
of regeneration
1.
Birth
2. Creation
Today we
continue our look at the doctrine of regeneration or in its literal meaning, “another
Genesis.” Yesterday we discussed the imagery of birth and how the New Testament deals with this aspect of
our relationship with God.
The second
word picture is one which draws a parallel between what God did at the beginning
of time and the miracle of his grace which brings us into that new
time or a new age which we
enter through Christ. It may well be that we are to see the merging of these
two ideas in the New Testament’s word for regeneration – a second Genesis. The
picture is a very dramatic one. Paul employs it when he is at the height of his
powers of vivid and imaginative insight into God’s work within us. In a moment
of great spiritual tension at the end of his letter to the Galatians, he
affirms that the only thing that really matters is ‘a new creation’
(Galatians 6:15). Without this, everything is in vain. Again, later in his
ministry the same imagery is employed at much greater length: the
light which shines into darkness of our hearts, bringing us into the presence
of God, can be paralleled by only two
events in the history of the world – the creation at
the beginning, and the resurrection of Christ [a
foreshadowing] of the world to come (2 Corinthians 4:6 – 12).
Later in the
same section of this letter he makes the glorious statement that to be in
Christ is to share already in that world which is yet to be. Literally, his
words are: “if anyone in Christ – new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Here, as elsewhere, Paul’s great purpose is to draw attention to the magnitude
of what God has already done in our little lives by his grace. If we only would
allow this to expand our minds, and so enter into the enjoyment of these great
privileges, we would see something of the glory of God exhibited in the
character and quality of our lives.
Challenge:
Use your
imagination and run through in your mind, the amazing work of the creation of
the universe. The formation of the heavens, the planets and galaxies. The
vastness of the oceans and the creatures therein. Think about the great wonders
of the world and especially the crown of his creation…man. Of all the splendors
and unimaginable beauty of it all, how magnificent is it, that in Christ, we
are His new creation!
This Day in Christian History:
March 1, 1546 – George
Wishart was burned at the stake for his faith, lighting a fire in the heart
of a young man, John Knox. Knox took Scotland by storm and was known as the “Thundering
Scot.” His efforts inspired Scots for years to come and the Reformation
triumphed in their land at last.
Memory Verse:
Pea tali ‘e
Sīsū, ‘o ne folofola kiate ia, Ko au ē, ko au ē, ‘oku ou tala atu, ‘Ilonga ‘a
ia ‘e ‘ikai fanau‘i fo‘ou mei ‘olunga, ‘e ‘ikai te ne lava ke mamata ki he
Pule‘anga ‘o e ‘Otua. – Sione 3:3
Jesus
answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born
again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” – John 3:3
Bible Reading Plan: (52 weeks; 5 days a week)
Week
9 – Numbers 3-5; Hebrews 12
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