17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV).
In this verse the apostle Paul is speaking to new believers in the Corinthian church. They no longer are required to perform Jewish rites and ceremonies or rely on earthly idols. Their salvation is in Christ, as spoken by these words of Paul, 20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20, NIV).
2023. Another new year. Many people make resolutions at the beginning of a new year, like eating healthier, exercising more, spending more time with family and friends, or saving money. Sometimes their resolutions are kept and sometimes they are not. Unlike New Year’s resolutions, new believers do not have to rely on self for improvements in their lives.
New believers in Christ experience a deep and radical change in their lives regarding their former prejudices, opinions, habits, and attachment. Their love of sin and love of self and love of the world passes away. These changes begin at their new birth and continue through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus promised in these words to his disciples, 15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:15-17, NIV).
Even though radical changes may take place within our heart with help from the Holy Spirit, God wants us to recognize that, even before these changes took place, He created us as unique individuals. All of us have been lovingly formed with gifts and traits specific to each one of us, designed to ultimately help us love God and love one another. In an age where it seems as though almost everyone has a social media following, we may be tempted to believe that unless we’re in the spotlight, there’s really nothing special about us.
But nothing could be further from the truth!
This past Christmas as I was boarding the plane in Dallas, I got in line with my boarding pass in hand. But when it was my turn, there was no machine for me to scan my boarding pass; instead, the airport attendant asked me to face the camera for a photo of my face! Maybe this has already happened to you, but it was my first time. Facial recognition is now being used in many airports for security as well as unlocking smart phones instead of using a password. Maybe you use this technology or fingerprint scanner technology to unlock your smart phone and apps.
Three years ago, when I applied to be a tutor and substitute teacher with the local school system I was required to be fingerprinted. You have probably experienced this identification system too. You rolled each finger on both hands in black ink and then rolled each finger in the designated place on the fingerprint card.
How do fingerprints identify a person? Fingerprints are unique to an individual. When analyzed, the fingerprint from each finger is classified by its shape. Three common shapes are a loop, a whorl and an arch. Using the chart below, can you classify the two fingerprints in this photo?
Two people may have the same fingerprint shapes, but there are differences within the shapes that make each person’s fingerprint unique. Genetics and environment play a role in forming a person’s fingerprint. Even identical twins have their own unique fingerprints because friction modifies their fingerprints during physical activities involving their hands. Think about your fingerprints. Do you have a scar from a paper cut or from a pin pick blood test used to measure your blood sugar level or from another experience?
Words of David..
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
(Psalm 139:13-14a, NIV)
Each of us was created as a unique individual with our own identity. May your identity in Christ grow deeper this year through the power of the Holy Spirit within you. Happy New Year! Blessed New You!
Illustration 104501710 © Viktoria Kabanova | Dreamstime.com
Photo 11455577 / Fingerprint © Grzegorz Kula | Dreamstime.com
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made 
Good reminder of who we are and what we represent.
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