New Creation, New You | Morning Routine Daily Devotional for January 1

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. – 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 ESV

In today’s passage, Paul describes the newness of life that is found in Christ. He says that all believers have died in accordance with their Lord’s death. Paul writes, “He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” 

Remember your life before Christ? Apart from Christ we lived for ourselves, our own desires. But now, having believed in Christ, there has been a radical change! We no longer live for ourselves but for Him! If you are in Christ, you are a new creation. “The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Our former self is gone, dead. Good riddance! And behold the new. A new creation. A new creature. A new self. 

This is the time of the year when folks are talking about their resolutions. Perhaps you have some of those, too. But on this New Years Day, instead of focusing only on what you need to change, consider what the Lord has already changed: you! He has made you new. In the New Testament, concepts such as new birth, regeneration, resurrection, new life all describe the change that has taken place in the life of a believer. What was impossible for you to do has been done: Jesus did it on the cross. Now, simply live it out. Live in accordance with your identity in Christ as a new creature.