2 Corinthians 5: 16 ~ Complete Jewish Bible~
I know a man who for years has struggled to gain the respect of his own son. Despite his efforts, his son hangs onto that image of his father from years ago. From what I've been told, that image is not a possitive one at all. For in his younger days, this man lived in the moment as he dabbled in alchohol, drugs and women. Granted, not too many people would see him as a possitive role model to his children. Then again, more than a few men have behaved in such ways for years. I watched as my own father walked his own path of self destruction for some time. So, what's the big difference between this man I know and myself? Am I really that unique and special? Why is it that I never followed in my own fathers footsteps? Well, for a time I did. My friend told me some time ago after a contentious argument with his son that "that man he's looking for is gone!" Yet, like that prisoner chained to a steel ball, his former life and habits continue to hold him captive. I get it. There are times when many of us feel like that prisoner chained to our former life. No matter what we do, the image of that former person we once were continues to dominate our thoughts and the opinions of those who know us. is it no wonder that the apostle Paul claimed in Romans 6 that we, through Christ Jesus, should "no longer be slaves to sin." For it is indeed sin that enslaves us. Ask anyone who may be in the midst of their own addiction to alchohol, pornography or drugs and you might just feel as if you are talking to a prisoner condemned to a life incarcerated. I've been there myself. To this day there are those who continue to see me as that guy they knew years ago. I have no remedy for that. I do, however, have a remedy for how I see myself in that mirror each morning. I can choose to accept who it is that I once was, or I can trust in Christ and the man He claims I am.
We know that our old self was put to death on the execution-stake with him, so that the entire body of our sinful propensities might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For someone who has died has been cleared from sin. 8Now since we died with the Messiah, we trust that we will also live with him. 9 We know that the Messiah has been raised from the dead, never to die again; death has no authority over him. 10 For his death was a unique event that need not be repeated; but his life, he keeps on living for God. 11 In the same way, consider yourselves to be dead to sin but alive for God, by your union with the Messiah Yeshua.
Romans 6: 6 - 11 ~ The Complete Jewish Bible~
I go back to what my friend has told me on more than one occassion in regards to his son, "That man he's looking for is gone." Indeed, we're told that our former life which we once lived has been put to death...that we may no longer be enslaved to sin. That man I once was no longer exists. Not only that, that man that others remember is gone as well. I have a few christian friends who take this a step further and no longer see me as that man born into sin. That man is gone, never to return. If I were to talk to my friends son I would ask him one simple question, "Why are you still chasing a dead man?" Of course, not being a believer he might just brush it off. Then again, a seed might just be planted in him where he may one day see the truth of who he, and his father, truly are in Christ. Do we see Jesus as He once was? A man of flesh and blood? No, as Paul claims, we see Christ in this way no longer {2 Corinthians 5:16}. Likewise, Christ no longer views those who follow Him by their former behaviors. In the eyes of Jesus, we are created in the perfect image of the Father. In the eyes of Jesus we are Gods children {1 John 3:1}. I have not found one scripture where Jesus sees me as that former man I once was. This is no longer what defines us. Likewise, we are no longer to see others in regards to the flesh {2 Corinthians 5:16}. I might be all too aware of that man which my friend once was, yet I no longer see him in that way. I see him as Christ Jesus sees me.
3 1 See what love the Father has lavished on us in letting us be called God’s children! For that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it has not known him. 2 Dear friends, we are God’s children now; and it has not yet been made clear what we will become. We do know that when he appears, we will be like him; because we will see him as he really is.
1 John 3: 1 - 2 ~The Complete Jewish Bible~
~Scott~
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