Today we start a new sermon series: “Who we are in Christ.” A favorite phrase of Paul is the term “in Christ.” Paul’s use of the phrase is a whole study by itself. Paul, for the most part was the only one to use this phrase. The NT in the CSB, the term “in Christ” can be found 90 times in 88 verses: once in Acts, once in Hebrews, and 3 times in 1 Peter, but 85 times in 83 verses in the writings of Paul (Romans through Philemon).
Paul also use other like terms such as “in the Lord” found 44 times in 43 verses. These added together along with similar phrases using pronouns, (for example :“in Him”) Paul uses these phrases a total of 151 times (in the Greek). So, what exactly does Paul mean by “in Christ?” And why is that important?
Generally Paul’s use of these phrases refer to 5 things: [1]
1. Affirms something was done by God through Christ (about 1/3).
Romans 3:24 (CSB) They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
This include Creation itself:
Colossians 1:16 (CSB) For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him.
2. Exhortation or commendation of behavior or character.
Philippians 4:4 (CSB) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Romans 16:3 (CSB) Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus,
3. Describes the present state of Believers in view of Christ’s saving work.
Romans 12:5 (CSB) in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.
4. Describes specific persons or situation in relation to salvation.
1 Thessalonians 3:8 (CSB) For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
5. Dealing with the nature of Christ. (2 in Colossians)
Colossians 2:9 (CSB) For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ
Over the coming weeks we will deal with who we are “in Christ.” In Christ - as it deals with our salvation.. The fact is, our relationship with Jesus is so much more the a mere “Get out Hell Free Card.” To our focus today will be on us being a New Creation in Christ
2 Corinthians 5:16–19
Being saved and being a new creation is something we generally understand about our salvation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 has long been a favorite memory verse and indeed it does explains a lot. We understand that being “in Christ” all our past is forgiven, but do we understand the concern Paul had for those that are “in Christ.” What did Paul desired that we understand?
First we need to understand that it was God the Father who loved us, that God acted in and through Christ Jesus to bring us salvation.
Romans 6:23b (CSB) the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Second, it is important for us to know how believers are to live under Christ’s saving Lordship. To be “in Christ” communicates simultaneously the gift of salvation and the command of obedience.
Philippians 4:1b (CSB) in this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.
So what does it mean to be a new creation in Christ? This group of verses, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, deals with us being reconciled to God. (We will cover these remaining verses (20-21) next week.)
How does that apply as being a new creation in Christ? Paul explains that our whole outlook will change.
2 Corinthians 5:16 (CSB) From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective. Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective, yet now we no longer know him in this way.
Before Christ, we had a worldly viewpoint. We knew no other way to see the world around us. Other translations will say according to the flesh, or a purely human way.
Paul “knew Jesus” from a worldly perspective and he persecuted His church. You see the only viewpoint the matters in the end is how God Almighty view things. The fact is the things of this world is passing away. Paul tells us:
1 Corinthians 7:31b (CSB) For this world in its current form is passing away.
Paul knew Jesus in the academic or worldly fashion. That means nothing in the big scheme of things. But Paul met the true risen Christ on that Damascus road and from that point on Paul tells us: “yet now we no longer know him in this way.” When we have the Spirit of God residing within us, we no longer see Jesus or anything in the world quite the same.
1 Corinthians 2:12–14 (CSB) 12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people. 14 But the person without the Spirit does not receive what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually.
The very possession of God’s Holy Spirit changes everything. The things of the world are just not the same. And we begin to see the world as God sees the world. Yes even God, through Jesus, appears all together different. So Paul makes a conclusion, he said “Therefore …
2 Corinthians 5:17 (CSB) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!
Everything becomes new. Not everything in us is new, the world becomes a new place for us. God now sees us differently because He sees us through Jesus, because we are now “in Christ.” Why do you think Jesus told Nicodemus that You must be born again (John 3:3). We must be born again of the Spirit. This was not just a New Testament concept. This was explored in the Old Testament as well.
Ezekiel 36:26 (CSB) I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
This is not something we have done ourselves. This is the work of the Spirit.
Titus 3:5 (CSB) he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
But as a new Creation, we find that we still have much of the old world still lingering. We quickly find out that it is a process to be the new creation.
Ephesians 4:22–24 (CSB) to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, 23 to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on, the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.
Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) lived a life of dissipation prior to his conversion. After he had changed his life, he was noticed on the street by a prostitute he had previously frequented. She called to him, “Augustine, it is I.” He ignored her while she continued, “Augustine, it is I.” Finally he replied, “Yes, but it is no longer I.” [2]
As a new creation I am not who I use to be. Praise the Lord! I find I must put on Christ each and every day and the devil, even after all these years as a Christian, still is not willing to give me up very easily. We have a deep theological word for this process, its called “sanctification,” the process of being holy.
1 Peter 1:15–16 (CSB) But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.
And I look forward to the day when the newness will be complete.
Revelation 21:5a (CSB) Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.”
You see for Paul, being a new Creation, being a Christian, being a follower of Jesus, was not something he did, it was the very fabric of who he was. I pray the same is for me. As a new creation in Christ, I don’t just play the part of being a Christ follower, it the very core, the basic make up of who I am.
2 Corinthians 5:18 (CSB) Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
Here we see the heart of God. God through Jesus, who brought all of creation into being, only to see the crowning achievement of the creation reject their Maker, is working to bring creation back into right relationship with God, through and by Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:19 (CSB) That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.
God’s desire is for the whole world be brought into right relationship with Him. He does this by inviting us to be “in Christ.” And if Christ delays his return one more day it is because of His desire to see another saved. The ministry of reconciliation we will deal with next week.
2 Peter 3:9 (CSB) The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.
Yes, through Jesus, by being “in Christ” we have become a new creation. We see the world differently, and God does not see me in my shortcomings, but see me as new in Christ.
And what is my call? What is it that Jesus is calling me for? Yes I have been called to preach the Gospel and I do believe with all my heart I was called to be your pastor, I find that to be very humbling because I am so inadequate for the job, but it is Christ in me and my dependence on Him that I am able to do so.
But my first and foremost call before all of this, that I find what is primary is to know Him, to know Jesus. Paul said:
Philippians 3:10 (CSB) My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death
When God opening my eyes to see the world as He sees the world, only then did I even begin to grasp His majesty, His holiness, His power and greatness. As a new creation, as a born again believer “in Christ, I realize my only proper motive is to know Him more. To know the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering. Any suffering I will ever do for Jesus will pale in comparison to the suffering He did for me.
Are you “in Christ.” Are you a new creation in Him? Have you been reconciled to God.
It is all about knowing Jesus. Knowing Him intimately and personally. And then growing to know Him more and more every day.
[1] Mark A. Seifrid, “In Christ,” ed. Gerald F. Hawthorne, Ralph P. Martin, and Daniel G. Reid, Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 436.
[2] J. Michael Shannon, Sermon Outlines for Seekers, ed. Sam E. Stone, Standard Sermon Starters (Cincinnati, OH: Standard, 1996), 24.
