A New Creation: Transformed by Truth
Introduction:
In 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT), the Apostle Paul declares, "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" Join me in exploring the transformative power of truth encapsulated in this verse, unraveling the profound implications for our lives.
Point 1: The Reality of Transformation
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
The Greek word for "new" (kainos) implies not just a renovation but a radical transformation. Belonging to Christ initiates a complete metamorphosis, a spiritual rebirth. The truth is that in Christ, we are not merely reformed; we are entirely new creations.
C.S. Lewis captures the essence of this transformation, stating, "You can make anything by writing."
Ephesians 4:22-24 (NLT) "Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy."
In this passage from the letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul provides practical guidance on Christian living, emphasising the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
"Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life." Paul urges believers to actively discard their old selves, marked by sin and corrupted by wrongful desires and deceit. This is a call to repentance and a decisive turning away from the patterns of life that oppose God's righteousness.
"Which is corrupted by lust and deception." The apostle specifies the nature of the old self, identifying corruption caused by sinful desires (lust) and deception. The old self is characterised by a distorted view of reality and a pursuit of worldly passions.
"Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes." The transformative process begins with surrender to the Holy Spirit. The term "renew" implies a continual, inward renovation. The Spirit works within believers, reshaping their minds and attitudes to align with God's truth and righteousness.
"Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy." Paul introduces the positive aspect of transformation. Believers are not left empty-handed; they are given a new nature. This new self is a divine creation, mirroring the righteousness and holiness of God. It signifies a radical shift towards a life that reflects God's character.
Reflecting on this transformation, C.S. Lewis notes, "Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently, He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of—throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace."
Ephesians 4:22-24 calls believers to an active and ongoing engagement with the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. It encourages a conscious rejection of sinful patterns, an openness to the Spirit's renewing power, and a deliberate embrace of the new nature fashioned after God.
As a response to Ephesians 4:22-24, let us engage in daily self-examination, identifying and surrendering areas of our lives that align with the old, sinful nature. Simultaneously, let us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to continually renew our thoughts and attitudes. Finally, let us actively embrace and live out our new nature, reflecting God's righteousness and holiness in every aspect of our lives.
May the transformative journey outlined in Ephesians 4:22-24 inspire us to live as the new creations we are in Christ.
Point 2: Embracing Identity in Christ
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
Belonging to Christ not only transforms our nature but also redefines our identity. The old life, marked by sin and brokenness, is replaced by a new identity grounded in righteousness. This truth empowers us to live in the freedom and victory that Christ provides.
Brennan Manning reflects on our identity in Christ, saying, "Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self."
Galatians 2:20 (NLT) "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
In this profound verse from the letter to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul encapsulates the essence of Christian identity and living in Christ.
"My old self has been crucified with Christ." Paul begins by emphasizing the radical transformation that occurs through faith in Christ. The imagery of crucifixion signifies the complete and irrevocable death of the old self—the person dominated by sin and separated from God.
"It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." Paul communicates a profound truth about the believer's identity. The crucifixion of the old self results in a rebirth where Christ takes residence within the believer. This indwelling presence of Christ fundamentally alters the core of one's being.
"So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God." Paul acknowledges the continuation of life in the physical body, but now with a new orientation. The believer's existence is marked by an unwavering trust in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. This trust becomes the guiding principle for every aspect of life.
"Who loved me and gave himself for me." The foundation of this trust is rooted in the sacrificial love of Christ. The Son of God demonstrated His love by giving Himself in exchange for the believer's redemption. This personal and selfless act is the anchor of the believer's confidence and trust.
Reflecting on the profound transformation in Galatians 2:20, Dietrich Bonhoeffer observes, "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." This echoes the notion of crucifixion with Christ as a symbolic death to the old self.
Galatians 2:20 calls believers to a deep and personal identification with the death and life of Christ. It prompts self-reflection on the extent to which the old self has been crucified and replaced by the living presence of Christ.
As a response to Galatians 2:20, let us engage in intentional self-examination, identifying areas of our lives where the old self still asserts influence. Let us surrender these aspects to the transformative power of Christ, allowing His life to permeate and guide every thought, motive, and action.
May the truth of Galatians 2:20 resonate in our hearts, leading us to a profound understanding of our identity in Christ.
Point 3: The Call to Walk in the Newness of Life
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
The transformative truth in Christ isn't just a one-time event; it's a continuous journey. The call to walk in the newness of life involves an ongoing partnership with the Holy Spirit, allowing His guidance to shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the ongoing nature of this transformation, stating, "Christianity is not a one-time experience but a daily experience."
Romans 6:4 (NLT) - "For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives."
In this verse from the letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul vividly portrays the transformative impact of faith in Christ, using the imagery of baptism.
"For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism." Paul begins by highlighting the symbolic death and burial that believers experience through baptism. Baptism is not merely a ritual; it represents a profound identification with the death of Christ. The immersion in water signifies a burial of the old self—dying to sin and self.
"And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father." The conjunction "and" serves as a powerful connector, linking the believer's death and burial with Christ's resurrection. The resurrection of Christ is the pivotal event that ensures the believer's spiritual rebirth and new life.
"Now we also may live new lives." The culmination of this transformative process is the emergence of a new life. The believer, having died and risen with Christ, is now empowered to live a life characterized by righteousness, holiness, and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
Reflecting on the significance of baptism and new life in Christ, John Stott notes, "Baptism declares, 'I trust in Christ; Christ has trusted me.'"
Romans 6:4 invites believers to contemplate the transformative journey represented by baptism. It prompts introspection on the reality of the old self being buried and the emergence of a new life in Christ.
As a response to Romans 6:4, let us revisit the symbolism of our baptism, recommitting ourselves to the reality of dying to sin and embracing the newness of life in Christ. May our actions, thoughts, and choices align with the transformative power of the resurrection.
May the truth of Romans 6:4 resonate in our hearts, reminding us of the profound spiritual reality embedded in baptism.
Conclusion:
As we contemplate the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17, let it resonate deeply within our hearts. We are not bound by our past; we are new creations in Christ. May this truth empower us to embrace our identity, walk in the newness of life, and live as testimonies to the transformative power of God's truth.
In Christ's transformative love, amen.
