Corinthians 5:17-18
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
John Wesley elaborated on this a bit by saying; “By the power of God’s love communicated to us through Christ we are recreated, our dulled spiritual senses are reawakened. “ Then we see things differently, as if in a new light. The past few mornings have started off somewhat foggy. As time passed the fog lifted, and the world around us became clearer.
As we take seriously the ministry of reconciliation Paul declared above, we know that we don’t start from where we were, but where we have become. As the situation in which our nation’s change becomes more defined, this ministry of reconciliation becomes more and more a necessity rather than an option. When we base our actions on the power of God’s love we actually are recreated. We see different possibilities. We understand underlying motives that drive some of the decisions that seem unusual or misapplied. We realize that if there is going to be a coming together around common interests, it starts with you and me. Then it grows and becomes us; grows further and begins to represent we the people.
I keep hearing the phrase, “New normal.” My hope is that means we are fulfilling the ministry Paul addresses in his letter to the Corinthians. Empowered by God’s love everything can become new.
For God’s Gifts we pray:
O Holy God, open unto me
Light for my darkness,
Courage for my fear,
Hope for my despair.
O loving God, open unto me
Wisdom for my confusion,
Forgiveness for my sins,
Love for my hate.
O God of peace, open unto me
Peace for my turmoil,
Joy for my sorrow,
Strength for my weakness.
O generous God, open my heart to receive all your gifts.
Amen.
Pastor David Brosnan