“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)
What changes when we become a new creation in Christ Jesus? EVERYTHING! The above verse in the Amplified Translation of the Bible says: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].
When we, by faith, invite the Lord of Creation to forgive us and give us new life in Him, we’re not adding anything to our old life, we’re exchanging our life for a brand-new life made possible by faith in Jesus. Too often we want to think of Jesus as a nice addition to our old life, as if He just wants to clean up our old life and make it better, but that’s not how it works. That’s why the Ordinance of water Baptism by full immersion is so powerful.
As Paul describes in Romans 6, we’re lowered into a watery grave, symbolizing our death to sin and our old life, then “raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” That’s the same imagery Paul uses in 2 Corinthians 5 when he speaks of a “new creation”, his words literally mean “a brand-new species of being, one that has never existed before.”
Yes, of course, as long as we’re in these bodies of clay, we’ll do battle with our old, sinful nature, but that’s the beauty of our new life in Christ, He gives us power and authority to rule over that “old” person and in ever increasing ways find joy and deliverance in our victory in Jesus. Here’s the key difference in someone who is born again of the Spirit and someone who isn’t, the life-giving Spirit of God indwells and empowers us to live in ways that were impossible before the Spirit moved into our life. The newness is because of Him, not simply us trying harder to be good or to do better.
Do we always choose to walk in that power and authority? Unfortunately not, but to the extent we do, our lives will reflect the newness of life for which Christ alone can take credit. Paul Washer understood this when he wrote: “The true convert does not receive the gospel as an addition to his previous life, but in exchange for it.”
If we’d allow it, that simple truth would transform our lives in ways nothing else has or can. Yes, I understand it takes time to grasp the depths, heights, width, and breadth of our life in Jesus, but give me a break, it shouldn’t take a lifetime. To still be a “baby” believer after 5, 10, even 15 years and more is ludicrous. Even an elementary perusal of the New Testament should give us a sound basis for solid growth in our walk with the Lord.
That’s why it’s so critical that we get quickly aligned with a Spirit-filled, Bible-based Body of Christ where we not only learn right doctrines and beliefs, but where we can see it daily being lived out in the lives of our Pastors and leaders. And, yes, I understand that there are obvious differences in how people define that. But I know people from Non-Denominational, as well as Denominational groups, Calvinists, Wesleyan-Arminian, Reformed, Charismatic groups who all follow the Bible and are seeking to live Holy lives set apart to the glory of their heavenly Father. Where Jesus is exalted, people will learn to follow Him.
Have you traded your old life for the new life only Jesus offers, or are you still trying to “clean up” the old you? The only pathway to heaven is a transformed life by the renewing of you heart and mind in Jesus. If you haven’t done that, please tap on anewstory.com and allow Ron Hutchcraft to walk you through a helpful and meaningful way to allow that to happen. Trade your old life for a new one today!
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 