2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
What does it mean to be a new creation?
In order for us to understand what "New Creation"
means, it is important that we understand what it means to create”
First and foremost, let us realize that creation is
a Divine work, not a human work.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10).
Secondly, new creation is not to change, not to
renovate, not to reform, not to improve, not the old nature adorned and
beautified, not the flesh with its corruptions and lusts trimmed and trained;
but IT IS THE NEW AND DIVINE NATURE IMPARTED IN THE BELIEVER, with all its
spiritual blessings and holy privileges.
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:4)
The new creation is not the Old Adam made clean or
religious, clothed and adorned. No! It is a something altogether NEW. It is the
restoration IN CHRIST of the original God-likeness lost by Adam in the garden
Eden.
"And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him" (Colossians 3:10)
Being partaker of the divine nature doesn’t mean that
we become uncreated, omnipotent, self-existent, immortal like God. What do the
scriptures actually say about “divine nature”?
In connection with the context of 2 Peter 1:4, where Peter
speaks of many qualities that Christian should develop, we should understand
that, by “divine nature”, Peter is speaking of being called to partake in DIVINE-LIKE
QUALITIES, such diligence, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, patience,
godliness (piety), brotherly affection, love. (2 Peter 1:3-7).
Those divine-like qualities are called by Paul
- · The fruit of the Spirit.
- · The gifts of the Spirit
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;
against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23
PRAYER
PRAYER 1 : PRAY
FOR THE FRUIT OF LOVE
"Father, I pray that you will learn to love You,
because You have loved them first.
1 John 4:19.
Teach them to love others and to put the needs of
other people above my own.
Phil 2:1-4.
Protect me from narcissism and self-promotion, and
instead lead me toward humility and compassion.
= = = = = = = =
= = = = = = = = = = =
PRAYER 2 : PRAY
FOR THE FRUIT OF JOY
"Lord, teach these me to seek the joy that comes
from knowing You, rather than the temporary happiness of the world
Phil 4:4.
Teach me to joyfully serve without grumbling or
complaining
Phil 2:14
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
PRAYER 3 : PRAY FOR THE FRUIT OF PEACE
"Father, help me to become peacemaker, to seek
reconciliation and forgiveness.
Remind them that peacemakers will be called sons of
God
Matthew 5:9.
Protect me from unnecessary arguments.
Keep me from being easily offended. Remind them of how
much they've been forgiven in Jesus, and give them the strength to extend
forgiveness to others."
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
PRAYER 4 : PRAY FOR THE FRUIT OF PATIENCE
"God, give me the strength to wait for
You
Isaiah 40:31
Help me resist the temptation to take shortcuts in
life, to grasp for good things at the wrong times. When it comes to my careers,
my relationships, my family, and my prayer life, remind me that Your timing
doesn't look like mine. Remind me that You are never slow, but patient and
gracious
2 Peter 3:8
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
PRAYER 5 : PRAY
FOR KINDNESS
"Lord, please teach me to care about the needs of
other people, and to proactively meet those needs when possible.
Teach me to treat people generously, even when they
don't deserve it
Ephesians 4:32
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
PRAYER 6 : PRAY
FOR GOODNESS
"Father, I pray I would be upright in my
character, hating sin and loving righteousness.
I pray you would seek good things for other people.
Teach me to live with honest and integrity, always
telling the truth and encouraging others to do so.
I pray I would not merely be known as moral people,
but as godly people who reflect Your good and perfect character."
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
PRAYER 7 : PRAY FOR FAITHFULNESS
"God, help me to persevere in the midst of trial
James 1:12
Remind me not to grow weary in doing good
Galatians 6:9
Teach me to work hard and not to give up until the job
is done. Cultivate in me the type of loyalty that You show toward us, the
loyalty that never gives up on people, but instead keeps praying for them and
pursuing them. I pray I will cross the finish line well, that I would maintain my
faith in Jesus for a lifetime."
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
PRAYER 8 : PRAY
FOR GENTLENESS
"Lord, remind me not to use my strength and my
talents to hurt people or to amass power for myself. Instead, help me correct
others with patience and humility when necessary, always remembering that I am sinner
too.
Galatians 6:1.
May my words be filled with encouragement and gentle
truth. Gentleness comes from a heart of humility, so give me an appropriate
sense of Your greatness, in order to keep from thinking too highly of myself"
PRAYER 9 : PRAY
FOR SELF-CONTROL
"Father, please train me to exercise self-control
with my body and my mouth.
Give me the discipline to pray first and to consider
the consequences of my actions.
Don't let me speak or act rashly in ways that are
destructive to me or to those around me.
Keep me from lies, theft, violence, sexual immorality,
and verbal abuse."
No comments:
Post a Comment