In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.
Eph 1:7-8a NIV
In Ephesians 1:7-8a, we’re reminded of how God, in his abundant grace, has redeemed us and forgiven our sins through the blood of Jesus. This divine act of love and redemption has transformed us, not into slightly improved versions of our old selves, but into completely new creations in Him.
Yet, sometimes we tend to forget this transformation. We look at our past selves as if they were still present, as though we struggle with spiritual amnesia. It’s like attending a sporting event and seeing people who still believe they’re in their prime. But unlike the amusing spectacle at the sporting event, this struggle in our spirituality is not amusing at all.
Paul emphasises the reality of our transformation in his letter to the church in Corinth.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Cor 5:17
When we surrender our lives to Jesus, we become entirely new creations.
So, let’s embrace our new selves in Christ. We are redeemed, made alive, and are now living in Him. Our God is a God of complete redemption, so let’s live in the newness of life He offers and let our old selves go.