Fields United Methodist Church

Jesus Along the Way: Words of Hope and Grace.                              Pastor Tom Joyce

October 7, 2020

“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

What does it mean to be “in Christ?” The answer is in the simplicity of three words yet profoundly transforming; “A new creation.” Being in Christ is not simply a slogan or a sound bite that is used then discarded once it has accomplished its purpose; it is not a piece of clothing that is worn one day and hung in the closet for a week or 2… Being in Christ is about a total transformation of heart, mind, and soul. Old opinions of other people and the world are no more; prejudice and racism a thing of the past; anger and hatred no more a reality. When Jesus the Christ is firmly entrenched in every part of your being, you begin to see everything and everybody with newness as you have been renewed. Think of it this way; if you decide to put siding on your home but do not replace all the rotten wood, what do you have; new siding over rotted wood…  But if you remove what has rotten and replace it with solid wood, the home will be like new, inside and out. So it is with faith in Jesus Christ; attempting to proclaim Christ while hauling around all those things that are rotten, like judgment, hatred, anger, and just stuff that does nothing to heal and unify; it just does not work.  Being in Christ casts away through repentance all those things that keep us from loving neighbor and God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Make this day the day of new beginnings and allow Jesus Christ into your heart. As Jesus transforms you, your words and everything about you will witness what it means to be “in Christ;” as you have become new, so will others. Faith is contagious, and that is a good thing!

Rev. Tom Joyce