The expression “new creation” encompasses the Christian’s forgiveness of sins paid for in Christ’s substitutionary death (Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 4:24).
Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for 2 Corinthians 5:17.
New Creation
Forgiveness
Never beyond His reach
Forgiveness of sins is based on the riches of God’s grace and the sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He was proclaiming that redemption for sins was accomplished (John 19:30). He paid the full price with His death, and now all who believe in Him are forgiven. This is great news!! Further, the scope of Christ’s atoning sacrifice reaches back to the past, into the present, and beyond to the future. That means we never have to fear that something we did in the past or might do in the future is beyond the reach of God’s forgiveness. The Lord never takes back His pardon.
Commentary from the In Touch devotional by Charles Stanley, July 20, 2022.
Forgiving
A resentful spirit can grow into a terrible burden that isn’t healthy to carry through life. Forgiving characterizes who we are in Christ, and it’s truly in our best interest to pardon others, even when difficult. Jesus promised to make us free (John 8:36), so choose to be liberated from your hurt.
Commentary from the In Touch devotional by Charles Stanley, November 20, 2021.
Rescue mission
This refers to the spiritual liberation or rescue by God from Satan’s kingdom, which, in contrast to the realm of light with truth and purity, is the realm of darkness with only deception and wickedness (1 John 2:9,11).
Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for Colossians 1:13.
Dead or Alive
Nonbelievers are so bound in the sphere of sin, the world (Eph. 2:12), the flesh (Rom. 8:8), and the devil (1 John 5:19) as to be unable to respond to spiritual stimuli; totally devoid of spiritual life. The spiritually dead have no ability to make themselves alive.
Only through a union with Jesus Christ can those hopelessly dead in their sins receive eternal life. Believer’s sins are all put to Christ’s account, nailed to His cross as He paid the penalty in their place, for them, thus satisfying the just wrath of God against crimes requiring punishment in full.
Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for Colossians 2:13,14.
Blessing-given and giving
The blessing that a Christian is to give to the reviler includes finding ways to serve him, praying for his salvation or spiritual progress, expressing thankfulness for him, speaking well of him, and desiring his well-being. A person whom God has given undeserved blessings instead of judgement, should seek the blessing he will receive when giving a free gift of forgiveness to someone who has wronged him.
Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for 1 Peter 3:9.
The Necessity of Forgiveness
And whenever you stand praying,
if you have anything against anyone, forgive him,
that your Father in heaven may also
forgive you your trespasses.
But if you do not forgive,
neither will your Father in heaven
forgive your trespasses.
Mark 11:25-26
“Anything against anyone”- An all-inclusive statement that includes both sins and simple dislikes, which cause the believer to hold something against another person. “Anyone” incorporates believers and unbelievers.
“Forgive”- Jesus states the believer’s ongoing duty to have a forgiving attitude. Successful prayer requires forgiveness as well as faith.
Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for Mark 11:25.
More than the drops in the ocean
Some encouragement I hope- a song by Hawk Nelson, Drops in the Ocean.
I hope you can listen, by clicking on the link below, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
******************
Lyrics:
Drops in the Ocean
I want you as you are not as you ought to be
Won’t you lay down your guard and come to me
The shame that grips you now is crippling
It breaks my heart to see you suffering
‘Cause I am for you
I’m not against you
Won’t you lay down your guard and come to me
The shame that grips you now is crippling
It breaks my heart to see you suffering
‘Cause I am for you
I’m not against you
If you wanna know how far my love can go
Just how deep
Just how wide
If you wanna see how much you mean to me
Look at my hands
Look at my side
If you could count the times I’d say you are forgiven
It’s more than the drops in the ocean, ooh ooh
Just how deep
Just how wide
If you wanna see how much you mean to me
Look at my hands
Look at my side
If you could count the times I’d say you are forgiven
It’s more than the drops in the ocean, ooh ooh
Don’t think you need to settle for a substitute
When I’m the only love that changes you
And I am for you
I’m not against you
I am for you
I’m not against you
When I’m the only love that changes you
And I am for you
I’m not against you
I am for you
I’m not against you
If you wanna know how far my love can go
Just how deep
Just how wide
If you wanna see how much you mean to me
Look at my hands
Look at my side
If you could count the times I’d say you are forgiven
It’s more than the drops in the ocean
Just how deep
Just how wide
If you wanna see how much you mean to me
Look at my hands
Look at my side
If you could count the times I’d say you are forgiven
It’s more than the drops in the ocean
Open your heart it’s time that we start again, oh oh oh
Open your heart it’s time that we start again, oh oh oh
Open your heart it’s time that we start again, oh oh oh
If you wanna know how far my love can go
Just how deep
Just how wide
If you wanna see how much you mean to me
Look at my hands
Look at my side
If you could count the times I’d say you are forgiven
It’s more than the drops in the ocean, ooh ooh
The drops in the ocean, woah
I am for you
I’m not against you
I am for you
I’m not against you
Just how deep
Just how wide
If you wanna see how much you mean to me
Look at my hands
Look at my side
If you could count the times I’d say you are forgiven
It’s more than the drops in the ocean, ooh ooh
The drops in the ocean, woah
I am for you
I’m not against you
I am for you
I’m not against you
Songwriters: Jason Ingram / Jonathan Steingard / Matt Bronleewe
Drops in the Ocean lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Essential Music Publishing
-Word- pictures by DLink 