“Jesus Christ DIED FOR US ALL, so, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for HIM WHO DIED for them and WAS RAISED AGAIN. So, from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Therefore, if ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, THE NEW CREATION HAS COME: But all these things are from God, who reconciled (katallassō: to receive into favor) us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might BRING OTHERS TO HIM], that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, NOT COUNTING PEOPLE’S SINS AGAINST THEM (when we ask to be forgiven) . And He has COMMITTED TO US THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION (tell people that they have been received into favor with Jesus Christ when they are forgiven). We are therefore Christ’s AMBASSADORS (presbeuō: His representative), as though God were making HIS APPEAL THROUGH US. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: BE RECONCILED TO GOD. God made Jesus who had no sin TO BE SIN FOR US, so that IN HIM WE MIGHT BECOME THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.” (2 Corinthians 5:15-21)
Paul teaches us, “…do not be conformed to this world, but be TRANSFORMED (metamorphoō: to be divinely changed into a godly form, a divine metamorphose) by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that you may PROVE what is that good and acceptable and PERFECT WILL OF GOD.” (Romans 12:2) THE LORD TRANSFORMED MY VERY FOUL MOUTH INTO A CLEAN MOUTH, MY DRUG AND ALCOHOL ADDICTED BODY INTO A CLEAN BODY.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham