New

DEVOTION
GALATIONS
NEW
Gal 6:15-16
15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.
NIV
There is no question regarding having been made a new creation, because it was not dependent on me but on God. He is the one who made me a new creation. I certainly had no ability to do it. I am also very thankful for being made into a new creation for the old one would never be able to enter into the Kingdom of God. As Adam was before the fall I am now. Adam was able to walk in the presence of God before he sinned and lived in Gods paradise. Having been made into that new creation by the sole action of God and God alone I now have the right and the privilege to be in his presence. That is the only this which counts. It does not matter if I follow all those church rules or not. I can follow as many of those rules devised by men as I want and that gains me nothing. I can be opposed to all this rules and that gains me nothing. I can appear as righteous as I can and it gains me nothing. I can look so good on the outside, doing all the right things and it gains me nothing. I can even be the saltiest salt and the brightest light and the shiniest mirror and it would gain me nothing, if I were not a new creation made by God and God alone. What good is anything if I do not have eternal life? Of what value is any good deed if I do not eternal life? Oh sure I can help my fellow man, which is surely a good thing, any that might gain me some praise in the process, but if I am not a new creation it is but a humanistic endeavor and does not count for the Kingdom of God. Now if I am a new creation, which I am, then I should act in accordance with who I am. That means I will be the saltiest salt and the brightest light and the shiniest mirror. That means I will assist my fellow man, doing good to others, not causing any harm to anyone, and being willing to set aside my own self for the benefit of others. Yes it means being Jesus to a lost and dying world. It means spending my energy for the benefit of my fellow believers, encouraging them in their journey with God. It means fulfilling my calling to teach and preach his word, instructing, correcting, and even rebuking those who need it. And I will do this not for any praise from men, for I seek not that, but only have God praised for the new creation he has made. I do not want the applause of men, if fact I never understand applause in church for anything other than God. Applause and praise of men only feeds pride. I do not want that, give God all the glory for I have been made new!