Part 2: A NEW CREATION
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Two Wednesday nights ago I spoke about Lazarus being raised from the dead when Jesus spoke in an authoritative voice, “Lazarus come out!” and Lazarus came out!
Then last Wednesday we addressed what the Bible calls A New Creation. It was in Galatians 6:15, 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. What is A New Creation? When we believe in Christ and accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we become crucified also. Not on a cross, but crucified to the world, then being In Him, in Christ, we become A New Creation. As A New Creation, you become different from what you were before and certainly different from other people who are not New Creations.
This week, this Wednesday, we will look at another verse about becoming A New Creation, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here! Being in Christ equates to becoming A New Creation. Let’s take a look at this verse in context and see what we might discern from verse 14 through 21.
Consider Ezekiel 11:19 which is not all that different from David’s prayer in Psalm 51:10, 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Back to 2 Corinthians 5:17, 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here! To be in Christ means that a man or woman is united with Jesus by faith and by baptism as Paul relates in Romans 6:3-4.
A New Creation because of Christ’s work a man becomes A New Creation not because of any righteous thing or things a person has done, but because of God’s mercy through Jesus on the cross.
Now, when we read, 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, Christ, that person is a new creation. Let’s not forget the second part of this verse as it is predicated upon the first part, The old has gone, the new is here! So, not only now is he or she A New Creation, but in a very real sense all things have become new. However, let us beware of exaggeration as some will change faster than others. We should always acknowledge when someone has been a slave to some sin, that sin will not cease to tempt, nor will its effects automatically be endded.
Where this caution should not apply is our state of unforgiveness. Jesus warned when teaching the Lord’s prayer, if we want to be forgiven, we must also be forgiving. He made this absolutely clear in Mark 11:25 when He said, 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. Some manuscripts add verse 26, 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your trespasses. Forgiving others is what I believe makes up part of the good works we are to do as A New Creation, per Ephesians (NET) 2:10, 10 For we are his [God’s] creative work, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we can do them.
Which leads me to close with Colossians 3:2-10 and a few remarks about these verses. In verse five I am told I am to rid myself of anger, rage, and malice among other things.
In closing let me repeat 2 Corinthians 5:17 one more time, and tell you I am A New Creation in Christ and because of that I can say as David did in Psalm 25:1, 1 In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.