2 Corinthians 5:17 - "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away."
Oswald Chambers comments on this verse. His thoughts are penetrating and painful, but helpful in understanding His way with us:
Our Lord never tolerates our preferences / prejudices. ...He puts them to death. We may think that God has some special interest in our particular ideas and are very sure that He will never deal with us as He has to deal with others. We may say to ourselves, "God has to deal with other people in a very strict way, but of course He knows that my prejudices are all right." But we must learn that...He is deliberately removing these things from us...as part of our moral education...and is no respecter of persons. There is only one thing God wants of us, and that is our unconditional surrender.
How do we become this "new creature" the scripture speaks of...how are we going to get the life that has no lust, no self-interest, and is not sensitive to the ridicule of others? How will we have the type of love that "is kind...is not provoked, and thinks no evil"? (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). The only way is by allowing nothing of the old life to remain, and by having only simple trust in God - such a trust, that we no longer want God's blessings, but only want God Himself! Have we come to the place where God can withdraw His blessings from us without our trust in Him being affected? Once we truly see God at work, we will never be concerned again about the things that happen, because we are actually trusting in our Father in heaven, whom the world cannot see.
Profound thoughts to soak in...Selah.
Mitch
