The New Creation has Come!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

 

The word “new” has a positive ring to it – new car, new house, new clothes, new job, new friends.  “New” implies good things in the Bible as well, especially when it stands in contrast with “old”.

Old Self vs. New Self   We came into the world with a sinful nature that is hostile to God and bound in wickedness and evil desires.  This ugly old self controls those who reject Jesus as Savior.  When the Holy Spirit created faith in our hearts, he gave us a new self that directs our lives.  The new self lives under God’s love and forgiveness, and seeks to serve and obey the Lord.

Old Attitude vs. New Attitude   The old attitude of unbelief is filled with selfishness and evil thoughts.  It lusts after the pleasures and riches of this world, and is determined to satisfy its desires with sinful living.  The faith-filled heart has a new attitude, motivated by love for God who loved us first through his Son.  With this new attitude, God’s will and the welfare of other people are placed ahead of our own interests.

Old Lifestyle vs. New Lifestyle   When Christ is rejected, words and actions are governed by the sinful nature and Satan.  The old lifestyle includes sexual immorality, idolatry, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, factions, and drunkenness (Galatians 5:19-21).  The Holy Spirit empowers the child of God with a new lifestyle:  compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love (Colossians 3:12-14).

The Lord tells us to put off the old and put on the new every day (Ephesians 4:22-24).  He gives us the power and motivation to do this through the Good News of Jesus in God’s Word and in the Lord’s Supper.  Stay connected to Jesus.  Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10 NIV)