In our last post An Incarnation for a New Creation we saw the means of God’s plan to reconcile His people to Himself. (2 Corinthians 5)
In Christ we are a new creation, but this is just a means to an end.

“I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot
inherit the kingdom of God,
nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.”
1 Corinthians 15:50

Why do we need to be reborn spiritually? Otherwise we would not be compatible with the new heavens and the new earth where all is righteousness, and where we, who are being conformed to the image of Christ, will receive a crown of righteousness. (2 Timothy 4:8)
He promises that we shall rule with Him and share His glory. (Colossians 3:3-4; 1 John 3:1-3; Romans 8:17,30; Hebrews 2:10; Revelation 1:6)

We must be reformed, transformed, and conformed so that we may enter the heavenly city. Remember the wedding guest, who was thrown out because he was not wearing a wedding garment. We must be in Christ and robed in His righteousness to be acceptable.

The earth is our physical mother. Heaven, the New Jerusalem is our spiritual, eternal mother.
We are born of the Spirit for eternity with God in heaven.

“But the Jerusalem above is free,
and she is our mother. “
(Galatians 4:5-6)

“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.~ and a kingdom that cannot be shaken.” (Hebrews 12:26-29)

 “But according to his promise
we are waiting for
new heavens and a new earth
in which righteousness dwells.”
2 Peter 3:13

“And he who was seated on the throne said,
“Behold, I am making all things new.”
Revelation 21:5

What should we be doing in anticipation of the fulfillment of this promise? We should not be wasting our time and talents, but growing spiritually, glorifying Him and rejoicing in Him. (Philippians 4:4)

“But grow in the grace and knowledge
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To him be the glory
both now and to the day of eternity.”
Amen.
2 Peter 3:18

Dear Father, we praise you for your plan. Only you knew how it would work. Thank you for the power of your Spirit, through Christ and your written word, to reveal and fulfill your plan in us, now and for eternity. Thank you for planting the seed that died and now bears the fruit of righteousness in us. Water and bring to fruition that for which you came to us in Christ, your Son. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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