ROGERS — Who do you see?

Interesting question when you stop to think about it. How many of us make first appearance impressions or judgments of others only to be proven wrong later? I would like to say, with the rest of you, “I told you so” more often. Yet, eating crow has never appealed to me, even though I have learned how to spit out the bones and feathers. I can be and have been wrong. That is hard on the ego, but to coin an old phrase, “Looks are deceiving.”

In recent study of the Corinthian letters of Paul, I ran across a verse, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” 2 Corinthians 5:17. This is a verse that is a clear statement of fact and I have often used it in the discussion of regeneration or that of the new birth. If any man is in Christ, they are a new creature or creation. That is, they are the recipient of the creative work of Holy Spirit God and had nothing to do with that work. They are new creatures in Christ by the sovereign working of God without their will or acceptance being involved. This is in like manner of God in the beginning saying, “Let there be light and there was light.” God spoke and what he spoke came to pass. This is all absolutely true and on its own stands as a clear declaration of the origin and result of the new birth. However, as I looked in context of Paul’s writing I saw something I had not considered.

Paul, in speaking of the ministry has made a case for the working of God in the ministry. Their authority and sufficiency comes from God. Corinth has been witness to this and enjoyed the benefits of the same. However judgment was an issue for them, especially in the area of partiality. As Paul continues here he states the fact that in the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ the understanding is that Christ died for all. Then all he died for were dead. If they are now alive, they are so in Christ. So, if any have been the recipient of that grace, they are all the same in the reception and ability of it. They are new creations. Their past is done away with and this is a new day and the future is as bright as the promises of God.

Wow, what a concept that God has made us free and clear in Christ! We then should not look on others as we once did, but now new in Christ. We should remember the result of this in our own life and so give the benefit of doubt for the other person as well. I wonder if we really do believe “Innocent until proven guilty?” I will say until we understand “Guilty until made innocent in Christ” we never will believe the other. We will have the tendency to judge ourselves better than others and they must live up to our standards. How are you doing with Christ’s standard? So, then we don’t look on the outward appearance. We seek to see by the Spirit the spirits of others. If they are of God they are our kindred.

Would that not put a new view on others? Interesting. Amen.

Carl Staten can be reached by calling 246-9858 or by e-mail at lfpbc@juno. com.

In the Spirit, Pages 5 on 10/14/2009

Comments

To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online managers.

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.