“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
The Scripture comes from the time when Paul was encouraging the church in Corinth, that they should not see anyone who is in Christ from a human point of view, that is, by their status, appearance, age, gender, and race. Rather, we must view anyone who accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour as a new creation. The old life is gone, and a new life has come. God makes this transformation possible by reconciling us to Himself through Christ.
A NEW CREATION
We were spiritually dead in sin until we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour (Eph 2:1). Our spirits were separated from God. When we confess our sins and turn to Jesus in faith, we are made alive in Christ (Eph 2:5). The Holy Spirit creates a new life in us, transforming us into God’s offspring and bringing our spirits back to life. “We are born again, not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God“(John 1:13). We have been reborn from above and have the life of God within us.
Therefore, any man who believes in Christ is changed into a new creation. This means that we are an entirely new species of being. We have become new creatures with a heavenly destiny and a glorious inheritance. God positions us in Christ, seats us with Him in heavenly places, and makes us co-heirs with Christ. We have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us into all truth.
OLD THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY
The old things refer to everything related to our old sinful nature and former way of life which were corrupted by deceitful desires (Eph 4:22). These things separate us from God and are contrary to the righteous life. The old things have passed away, which means our propensity to sin and sinful desires no longer has power over us. We have died to such things; our old self has been crucified with Christ on the cross, and now Christ lives within us (Rom 6:3-7; Gal 2:20). We need to be conscious of this truth at all times because it is our identity in Christ.
ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW
God replaces the old sinful nature and former way of life with a righteous nature and way of life. Consequently, we have to completely let go of our former way of life, and put on our new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy (Eph 4:22-24). Our thoughts, desires, habits, attitudes, behaviours begin to change. We are able to align with our new nature because we have been given a new, undivided, tender and responsive heart (Eze 11:9). The transformation begins in the heart and subsequently extends to our conduct. This is the evidence that the new life in Christ has begun. Through the inner work of the Holy Spirit, believers are being transformed into the image of Christ with ever increasing glory (2 Cor 3:18).
LIVING AS A NEW CREATION
As a new creation, our sinful desires do not completely vanish because we are still in the flesh. The good news is that we have the power to overcome them by resisting sin and the enemy. Being a new creation doesn’t equate to perfection; instead, it means that God makes us righteous and we are still going through sanctification— a continuous process of transformation. Believers should earnestly strive for sanctification by applying God’s word in every aspect of their lives. As we walk in communion with the Lord, we are being transformed by renewing our minds with the word of God (Rom 12:2). We have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, empowering us to live a righteous life.
A new creation in Christ Jesus entails radical transformation through faith in him, resulting in a completely new identity, a relationship with God and living a righteous life. May we strive to grow in Christ and embrace our new nature and the way of life.
Further study: Romans 6:3-7
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