2 Corinthians 5:17
Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.
New Creature—New Man—Regeneration: the message is one of regeneration, the making of a “new creature.” a. What does it mean for a man to become a “new creature”? Very simply, it means just what the Scripture says: the man actually becomes a new creature—his whole being, nature, life, and behavior changes:
→ Whereas a man was dead to God, as a new creature he becomes alive to God.
→ Whereas a man had no relationship with God, as a new creature he is given a relationship with God.
→ Whereas a man was not sure about God, as a new creature he is absolutely certain about God.
→ Whereas a man never fellowshipped and communed with God, as a new creature he fellowships and communes with God all the time.
→ Whereas a man was living in sin and immorality, as a new creature he lives in righteousness and holiness.
→ Whereas a man had to face death, as a new creature he never has to die.
→ Whereas a man was doomed to judgment and eternal separation from God, as a new creature he is destined to live eternally in the presence of God.
b. How does a person become a new creature? Note the words of this Scripture: “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” It is being “in Christ” that makes a person a new creature. When a person truly believes in Christ, God places and positions him in Christ, in all that Christ is. Christ lived and died and arose, so to be in Christ means that a person lives, dies, and arises in Christ. The person who believes in Jesus Christ is identified with Christ: that is, he is counted and considered to be “in Christ,” reckoned and credited as “in Christ.”
Spelled out in a little more detail, when a person believes in Christ, God places and positions the believer “in” Christ. The believer’s faith actually causes God to identify the believer with Christ …
• to count the believer as having lived in Christ when Christ lived upon earth. Therefore, the believer is counted sinless and righteous because Christ was sinless and righteous.
• to count the believer as having died in Christ. Therefore, the believer never has to die (Jn. 3:16). The penalty and condemnation of his sins are already paid for in the death of Christ.
• to count the believer as having been raised in Christ. Therefore, the believer has received the “new life” of Christ. Just as Christ had a new life after His resurrection, even so the believer receives the “new life” of Christ when he believes in Christ. (See outline and notes—Ro. 6:3–5. Also see DEEPER STUDY # 1, 2—Ro. 4:22; 5:1; 6:14–15.)
To be in Christ means that a believer walks and lives in Christ day by day. It means that he does not “walk after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Ro. 8:1, 4). It means that “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Tit. 2:12). It means that he bears the fruit of the Spirit (Ga. 5:22–23). It means that he abides in Christ, that he becomes as connected and attached to Christ …
• as members of the body are connected and attached to each other (1 Co. 12:12–27)
• as the branch is connected and attached to the vine (Jn. 15:4–7)
From this, it is clearly seen that a person who is “in Christ” is a new creature. This is what is meant by such Scriptural terms as being “born again” and becoming a “new man.” However, no better words describe the experience than the words of this verse: “old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” This is the message of the Christian ministry: a man can start life all over, no matter how corrupt he has become or how far down he has fallen. God longs to make a new creature out of him.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (Jn. 3:3).
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Co. 5:17).
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ep. 4:22–24).
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Col. 3:9–10).
“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him” (1 Jn. 5:1).
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PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM