Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
In these first few weeks we have been discussing the definitions of Physical changes and Chemical changes as it relates to cooking. We have made Vinaigrette and fruit salad to show a physical change; and mayonnaise, veggie chips and soon chocolate chip cookies to show a Chemical change. Each week I reinforce the concept from their science standards by asking "Is this recipe a physical or chemical change?" And each week, they let me know.
For those not in the science vocabulary loop, in a physical change nothing new is made. The parts are mixed together, or rearranged, but all the parts remain the same. This type of change is able to be changed back to it's original state (like Vinaigrette dressing, or fruit salad)
A chemical change on the other hand is a change of the very substance. In this reaction, something new is made. It no longer resembles it's old self (like mayonnaise, or cookies). This type of change is not reversible.
Even more recently, I was reminded of a "chemical change" that took place in Stephen's best friend. Within the last year, this friend dedicated his life to Christ. Since then, everything about this man is different: his attitude, his priorities, his speech, and his actions. To paraphrase another friend, "All he does is talk about Christ." His transformation has been just that, he has been transformed into a new creation. And as with science and cooking, this type of transformational change can not be changed back.
"The old has gone, and the new has come."
I sometimes forget that Christ has this transforming power over those who put their trust in Him. I confess, I sometimes am looking just for the outward, Physical change of new actions, or appearance.
Praise God for the work He is doing within each of us. May we each seek to be transformed in our entirety.
