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| “New Creations” Holland Farmers Market, Holland, Michigan |
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
“Our Christian response to the questions of theodicy should not be to seek to find apologetic explanations, or to passively submit to suffering, but to join the protesting and suffering God in fighting to end human misery and injustice. A theology of the cross is a theology of protest. We focus on the cross in the hope that one day there will be no more crosses.” by Derek Flood
Derek Flood in his book, “Healing the Gospel: A Radical Vision for Grace, Justice and the Cross”, makes the argument that healing is best understood in the nature of restoration. He argues that this is the message of the New Testament and the message of Easter is when Christians acknowledge a cosmic restoration of God’s grace. That is the basis of our Hope!
“When will life be meaningful again?” is a common plea in response to the spiritual dislocation of illness. When that time occurs, we can accurately state that restoration and healing have occurred. Maybe a more accurate statement is that life takes on a new meaning and in some ways one that is “more meaning filled”.
So God’s healing restoration is not just about returning to “life as it was”, but a new creation. God’s act of grace on the cross changes everything for those who suffer. We have a new identity by the unexpected and unmerited entry of God’s example in our lives.
Have a blessed and healing Easter.
Marvin
References:
Flood, Derek (2012-08-06). Healing the Gospel: A Radical Vision for Grace, Justice, and the Cross (Kindle Locations 1953-1955). Cascade Books, an Imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers. Kindle Edition.
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