Identity in Christ Series: Week Eight. I Am a New Creation

I am a new creation not a remodeled creation - 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

London businessman Lindsay Clegg told the story of a warehouse property he was selling. The building had been empty for months and needed repairs.  Vandals had damaged the doors, smashed the windows, and strewn trash around the interior.

As he showed a prospective buyer the property, Clegg took pains to say that he would replace the broken windows, bring in a crew to correct any structural damage, and clean out the garbage.

“Forget about the repairs,” the buyer said. “When I buy this place, I’m going to build something completely different. I don’t want the building; I want the site.

Compared with the renovation God has in mind, our efforts to improve our own lives are as trivial as sweeping a warehouse slated for the wrecking ball. When we become God’s, the old life is over (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

 

“He makes all things new. All he wants is the site and the permission to build.” (Ian L. Wilson. Cited online at Bible.org.)

First, we are “Under New Ownership.”  When we see this sign it means that the business is now owned by a new owner. The old owner no longer has authority to say how the business is run.  He is no longer in charge.  The new owner now dictates how the business is handled, how the money is spent, and which employees are retained; he is now in complete control of the business. The same is true when our lives are transferred from the enemy to God through salvation.  Satan will put up a fight and try to convince us that he is still in control; however, this is not true.  God is now in control of our lives.  The enemy has no say.  We are “under new ownership.”  Romans 14:8 (NIV) “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”

Before salvation we were under the control/ownership of the enemy.  When we came to Christ we become the possession of God.  We have been bought with a price.  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV) “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

 God paid a high price to purchase our freedom from the enemy.  He is now the owner of our lives.  We are no longer bound to sin or the enemy.  We are free from the law of sin and death.  Free to live as new creations.

Secondly, we now have a new relationship with God.  Ephesians 2:12-13 (NLT) “In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.”

 Where there once was strife and conflict in our spirit, as the enemy battled to keep us under his control, we now find we have peace with God.  Romans 5:1 (NLT) “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”

We have now been adopted into God’s family.  Romans 8:15-17a (NLT) “So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father.’ For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.”

Thirdly, we have a new direction. Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT) “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”

Walking is sin and rebellion toward God only leads to death (eternal separation from God) and hell.  That’s where we were before we came to Christ for salvation: lost and dead in our sins.  Hallelujah!  Jesus paid the price so we can receive forgiveness of sins and through redemption we now have the promise of eternal life. No longer are we on the wide path that leads to destruction.  We have been transferred to the narrow path the leads to life eternal.  John 10:28 (NIV) “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

 Our destiny is now heaven.  Where we were once bound for eternity in hell, we now have the promise and hope of eternal life in heaven with our Father!!  John 14:1-3 (NIV) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

To continue, we now have new desires.  Galatians 5:24 (NIV) “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

There is a story told about Saint Augustine following his conversion where he passed by one of his former mistresses on the street.  Seeing him walk by she yelled after him, “Augustine, it is I!”   Without turning back Augustine replied, “Yes, but it is no longer I!” (https://desiremercy.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/no-longer-i/)

John Wesley said, “When a person comes to Christ for salvation there ought to be a very present, visible, undeniable change!” (Copied from Sermon Central)  2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”  Our desires will change when we become new creations.  The things that once drew our attention and our hearts will change.  We will now desire to please and serve God rather than the enemy and our flesh.  

Additionally, we will have new behavior.  Ephesians 5:8 (NIV) “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”  There are a few things we need to do to walk as children of the light.

Let’s look at what Paul tells us about our new behavior in Ephesians 4:22-29, 32.

22 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.  23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (NLT)

 

Verse 22 tells us we must first put off our old nature. Our old man was corrupted by sin and we lived to please our flesh.  When we become new creations in Christ our old man must die.  This is not a once and for all death of our flesh.  We must daily die to the desires of our old nature.  Thanks be to God we don’t have to do this alone.  Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:20 AMP).

Next, verse 23 tells us we must also put on a new attitude. We must change our attitudes to match those of Christ.  “Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility],” (Philippians 2:5 AMP)

 What was His attitude?  Philippians 2:6-7 says, “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” (NLT)

 He did not cling to his equality with God.  He did not demand preferential treatment or accolades. 

 He gave up his divine privileges and took (the choice was his, he was not forced to take it) the humble position of a slave.  Jesus, the King of Kings chose to lay aside His divine privileges.  How often do we demand the privileges that go with our job position, or ministry title?  Jesus not only gave that up but then took the humble position as a slave.  He chose to serve mankind rather than demand attention for himself.  He saw the bigger picture and decided that the redemption of mankind was of more value than His very life.  WOW!  What do I lay down to follow Christ? Do I choose to walk in humility or do I demand the honor I “think” I’m due?

 He took on the form of man.  Imagine, the God of the universe taking on flesh and then coming into the trenches of this world because He loved us so much!  How often do I think about the lost and broken? Much less go into their trench to love them?

 He walked in total obedience, even unto death! Such a wonderful Savior!!!

Continuing in Ephesians 4:24 Paul tells us to put on a new self.   A new nature that is created to be like God, truly holy and righteous.  We put on the new self by putting off:  falsehood (vs. 25), bitterness (anger unchecked and unresolved leads to bitterness) (vs. 26-27, 31),  stealing (vs. 28),  unwholesome talk (vs 29), and by putting on: kindness and compassion (vs 32).

In conclusion, God does not remodel our lives.  When we come to Christ, God doesn’t just sweep up the dirt, pull down the cob webs, paint the walls, and wash the windows; He completely tears down our old life and creates an entirely new one.  We are now living as new creatures.  We must not allow the enemy to lie and deceive us into thinking that we are still our “old” self.  Our old man will try to rise again and lead us into sin, however, God is now the owner of our lives and His Word is Law!  If we listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit, God’s property manager, we will be able to overcome the lies of the enemy and of our flesh.  We will be able to walk as new creations.  

 Everything God creates He pronounces as Good! (Genesis 1) You are a good creation!!!