MIRROR

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We have a unique identity as God's children, and a unique calling to live differently, mirroring Christ and His love to the world.

This week's lesson is titled "I Have a Job".

Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 

How many times have you been asked what you want to be when you grow up? You're probably sick of that question, but it's something we spend a lot of time thinking about. If we're going to make the most of our time here on earth, it's a question we have to ask ourselves: what am I going to do with my life? As Paul shows us in this passage, our God-given identities give us an answer to that question.

Lesson takeaways

1. You are a new creation. Knowing God changes us. 

On the surface level, no one can experience perfect love and radical grace and not live differently. But on a spiritual, eternal level, God literally gives you a new life when you follow Jesus. You receive the Holy Spirit inside you as a helper and as a promise that you are God's. Your sin is forgotten; God calls you "righteous." You become a new creation. Now this doesn't mean you'll stop liking strawberry ice cream if you like strawberry ice cream - it means your life is now defined by God. He gives you a hope and a purpose.

2. You're an ambassador. 

Contrary to what culture tends to say, we are most secure in our new identities when we stop living for ourselves and start living for Christ. This is radical; every other voice in our culture tells us that life is about our happiness, our success. But when we have been so thoroughly changed by God, we can't keep living the same way. Specifically, this passage says we are now ambassadors for Christ. We have an active, important role to play in the sharing of God's truth, His love, and His forgiveness. We want others to know this freedom just like we do.