“For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them. From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (II Corinthians 5:14-17) There is so much here in this passage from II Corinthians, that one barely knows where to start.  So, keeping those riches in mind, allow me to focus on two particularly Wesleyan emphases.  First, Christ has died for all.  You and I have never encountered a person (no matter how awful they may appear to be!) who Jesus does not love and for whom he is not given his own life.  So, how might that change both how we regard one another and how we treat one another?  It seems to me that would imply quite a new way for us to go through our normal ways of life.  Second, not only has Christ died for all, but in him, we are a new creation!  What allows us to regard one another no longer in our old broken categories is our Lord’s redemptive and transforming power.  We are a new creation.  I cannot speak for you, but I do know this about myself: far too often, I am willing to settle for the old categories; the old ways of dividing the world between the worthy and the dishonorable, the bad and the good.  But, at the same time, Jesus’ redemptive power has been unleashed upon us and “everything has become new” in spite of my hesitancy to embrace that.  How about you?  Are you struggling with continuing to view your neighbor in this new way, in Jesus’ new way?  Do not be discouraged; he is at work and invites you and me to continue to yield to his love and his remarkable forgiveness.  Have a great week!