January 13
A New
Creation
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Daily Steps
This verse is one of the most powerful identity statements in the entire Bible. It offers a radical, immediate transformation: being "in Christ" makes you a new creation. The language is absolute—it is not a gradual process or a partial fix; it is a completed arrival.
Think of this not as a renovation, but as an entire recreation. The "old" way of living, the old self-talk, the old shame, and the old patterns of thinking are decisively gone. The "new" way of living, defined by grace, freedom, and purpose, is definitively here.
For a new Christian, this truth is revolutionary. You are no longer defined by your past sins or your former struggles. Your history is no longer your identity. God sees you through the lens of Christ, and in that lens, you are brand new.
Embrace this reality today. Stop trying to resurrect the old self through guilt or self-effort, and start living from the powerful, perfect, new identity that is already yours.
Reflective Question
If you had to put the "old" you and the "new" you side-by-side, what is the biggest difference? How can you consciously choose to treat yourself as a "new creation" in a specific situation today?
Prayer
Almighty God, thank You for the miracle of recreation. I celebrate the truth that the old me is gone and the new is here. Forgive me for holding onto old shame and old ways of thinking.
Give me the strength to let go of the past and the courage to fully embrace and live out my identity as Your new creation. Amen.
