Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Cor. 5:17)
A LONG, GREASY PONYTAIL hung down his back; his eyes appeared sunken and his face hollow. He sat hunched over on the church pew, looking uncomfortable and out of place at the church musical event. At the end of the concert, the minister gave an invitation for those who wanted to know Christ. The tall, slender visitor stood and walked to the front of the church, and the minister prayed with him.
On Sunday morning, as the congregation gathered for worship services, a visitor walked in. Several people welcomed him to the service, but it wasn’t until the minister introduced Allen that everyone realized it was the same man who had stepped forward at the end of the concert. Gone were the sad eyes, unkempt appearance, and uncomfortable demeanor. In their place, stood a confident young man who looked completely different. We had seen the old Allen at the concert. Now we were seeing the new Allen, a creation changed by Christ. We learned that day that addictive drugs no longer controlled his life; he had flushed them down the toilet. Christ was now in control.
Paul taught that anyone who is in Christ is a new creation; that includes anyone who needs a change in their lives. If we ask Christ to change us, He will make us a new creation in Him.
Take that first step—ask Christ to change your life.
Vickie Phelps lives in Texas with her husband and their schnauzer. She collects books, plays the organ, and is a trained cake decorator.
