Everything has Become New - Bible Art Journaling

"So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: 

everything old has passed away; 

see, everything has become new!"

- 2 Corinthians 5:17 NRSV

I love that! It is possible to become new, a new creation, have a new beginning, a resurrection of life! It is so hopeful... and then I find myself asking, "How?" 

Immediately following "

the new has come

," 2 Corinthians 5:18 says, "

All this is from God...

" I think this is the key. A miracle really, of transformation. 

Verse 19 goes onto say, 

"in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, 

not counting their trespasses against them, 

and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation." 

Yes, I believe "Jesus paid it all." He made it so I could come forgiven and reconciled to God. It's nothing I have done. Jesus saved me. 

"

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, 

so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

- 2 Corinthians 5:21 NRSV

Reading in the following three verses I find the word "reconciliation," or a version of the word, used five times. It must be important and relevant to becoming a new creation. So I 

Googled the definition using www.merriam-webster.com

  and looked up the verses and word reconciliation in the online Bible reference:  

https://www.blueletterbible.org/

. 

It is rich with meaning. The root for "reconciliation" means: exchange or adjustment.  Through Christ my sinfulness was exchanged for His righteousness.

Reconciliation means restoration. I am restored to who God made me to be. A butterfly perhaps :)

Reconciliation means divine favor. That makes sense to me. "All this is from God...."

Reconciliation is  atonement, at--one-ment, being one with, reconciled to God.

Jesus died and was resurrected so I might live and be one with him. This is good news!

Out of gratitude, my mind goes to, how could this apply to my relationship with others? What does it mean to reconcile or be reconciled with another person?

I looked up reconciled and reconciling. The root word  means: "to change mutually." (Strong's G2644)

To me this points out the difference between reconciling and forgiving. Forgiving can be done individually, but reconciliation takes two to "change mutually." It takes an agreement to come together to restore friendly relations and bring together again. It is harmony, which takes two to "sing." One of the most interesting definitions I found was that reconciliation is "the process of finding a way to make two different ideas, facts, etc., exist or be true at the same time." This requires holding of paradox, such as: even though I mess up God still loves me and delights in me as His chosen child. As His child, I have the choice to embrace His love; to change mutually.

Recently, I over-reacted in a conversation to a topic that came up. Later, I wondered why. I asked God, "What was that about? What is really going on with me? Why did I over-react? I waited. Then it came. It wasn't about that situation at all. It was about something that happened about 15 years ago, and the present situation triggered a strong negative emotion inside of me. When that happens, I know there is some inner work I need to do. I hadn't even thought about it in years, but there it was. I needed to forgive someone for the betrayal from years ago. This is where I know even forgiving someone is a gift from God, not something I can do on my own. God is so good, and wants me to be free, so we worked through, prayed through, shared with a helpful friend, forgave, let go, and now I am free. Does that mean I will reconcile with the person? It might in this case. I am willing. Because reconciling means to change mutually, it is not always possible. Being reconciled to God through Christ is always possible, and for me it is the place to start reconciling with others. The old passes away, making way for a new relationship!