We Are A New Creation Series

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.