What is the Christian Life?: 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Introduction: I would like to suggest that one of the major reasons for lack of new converts to Christianity is because there are so many “so called Christians” that do not understand the commitment they have made and therefore are not living a Christian life. Many non-Christians look at and carefully watch “so called Christians,” to try and figure out what the Christian has or does that is so different than what the non-Christians have or do.
Application: Why would one want to become a Christian if they see no difference in the ways of a Christian than themselves? Do you call yourself a Christian?... Are you living like a Christian?
I have derived 4 different principals in which a Christian should be living daily, per the Bible!
1. A New Creation. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). As a result of this new birth, you will experience “Christ living in you.” Thousands of years ago, before Christ was even born, devout Jewish parents would practice three rituals or customs when having a child. The first of the customs was that the child be circumcised; the cutting of the skin. This symbolized that you were a part of the family of God.
- Take a moment to think about what are some evidences in your life that new things have come, and old things have passed away? Have you been spiritually circumcised? Have you cut the sinful nature out of your life?
a. The Bible compares this experience with that of physical birth. Jesus said, “…truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). It is a marvelous study to meditate on the similarities between a physical birth and a spiritual birth.
b. Man’s attempt to reach God is the opposite way of God’s way of reaching down to man. Mere religion is like taking a corpse, washing and dressing it, then claiming that it is acceptable. The result is that the corpse goes right on decaying; there is no sign of life. God, on the other hand, does not “make over” our sinful nature. He gives us a new birth.
c. The way to inherit this wonderful gift of a “new birth” is to believe in the Son, receive Him, and then you are born into the will of God (John 3:16, 1:12-13). According to Ephesians 2:8-9, we can do nothing to merit this gift. All we can do is receive it as a gift. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of your selves, but is the gift of God, not of works, so that no man can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
2. A New Relationship with God. God’s Word tells us that we have the right or authority to call ourselves members of His family. The second custom that a devout Jewish parent would practice is what they called “the practice of redemption.” They would sacrifice a lamb, or for more impoverished families they were able to offer two turtle doves or pigeons. This was a ritual that they believed redeemed them to God. It made them right with God. Today, God does not require us to practice animal sacrifice to be redeemed. Jesus Christ was the ultimate sacrifice that redeems us. It is no longer about what we can offer as a sacrifice or what we can do; it is about what He has done.
- As newborn Christians, we are called “babies” and just like a physical baby, we must immediately receive nourishment. Therefore, as soon as we receive Christ, it is essential that we immediately begin studying the Word of God and fellowship with other members of the family of God in church or others Christian groups.
- 1 Peter 2:2 says, “…like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” This tells us that we should long for and desire the Word of God as new Christians just as a newborn baby longs for it’s mothers pure milk.
- 1 Peter 1:4 says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God…” This clarifies that we are children of God. You are His child. Long for the pure milk of His Word.
- Once we become a child of God, you become a partaker of “the divine nature.” This means that He will make you more Godly. God imparts His nature to us immediately at our spiritual birth. Now, the evidence of His nature is more apparent in some than others, but if we give Him our all, He can accomplish more quickly what He wills for us. This requires a total surrender of our lives to God
- Some people ask, “Well, how do I know that I am a child of God?” God reveals Himself in each life, assuring us of our salvation. The way He reveals Himself may be completely different in each case. The important thing is that you know.
a. “…God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; He who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the Son of God, so that you may [KNOW] that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:11-13).
3. A New Motivation. When you become a Christian, you have a new motivation. When you see how much He has done for you, you want to live for Him. “For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
- Christ lives in you. He loves, acts, and talks through you. Your entire life becomes different because you are no longer living your life, but Christ is living in you. His motives become yours.
- The third custom that devout Jewish parents would practice is the ritual called, “Purification.” They would offer their child up to God and give him completely over to God and then buy the child back to raise as a godly person. We also must offer the totality of our lives to God as if we were bought, because we were, weren’t we? We are bought by the blood of Christ!
4. A New Relationship with Mankind. How can you show that you are a follower of Christ; by having love for one another.
- Through Christians, Christ comforts lonely hearts, instructs and teaches, seeks and saves, and walk among men to tell of His love and sacrifice for their sins.
- In what ways are you doing this in your everyday life?
- “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin, to be sin on our behalf, so that we may become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:18-21).
- In what ways are you fulfilling this call to all Christians?
- As a child of God, your concern is for the whole world. You want others to know the Lord as you do because Jesus Christ died for the world. Your relationship with man is now worldwide and your responsibility is to let Jesus Christ live in you to reconcile the world to Himself.
- You are entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation. How are you doing this week? This month?
- As a follower of Christ, one of the best things you can do is to be a “fisher of men.” Think of at least three ways that you could do this. Write them down and start practicing.
Conclusion: What is the greatest change you have seen in your life since you have became a new creation in Jesus Christ?
- A lot of people ask what their response can be, as a Christian, to disappointments, problems, and frustrations. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to “…cast your cares [anxiety] on Him because He cares for you.” Also Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
- Ask yourself how you will change your goals due to a new motivation.
- What is your responsibility to other men and women? How will you carry this out?
- Think of two changes that you would like to see in your life now that you’re a Christian. Ask God to bring those things about.
