"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come."
This week's memory verse is relatively short compared with the past several entries, and is likely very familiar to most of us.
But sometimes our familiarity with such a passage actually keeps us from growing in our understanding- we often end up making ourselves aloof to God's treasures for us by glossing over it. So let's slow down together and ask the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth.
What does it mean to be "in Christ"? It means that we've been united with Christ for salvation through faith in his death and resurrection. By faith we have been baptized with Him through baptism into his death, and just as He has risen unto new life by the power of the Holy Spirit, so we have the same power and presence of the Spirit to walk in the newness of life (Romans 6). To slightly paraphrase what a famous preacher has said, "For those who have put their faith in Christ, what is true of Christ is now true of us." It means that we are holy and dearly loved as an adopted children in God's family, known in God's mind before the creation of the world. It means we have been redeemed from the penalty and power of sin (Ephesians 1), and that we have not only received forgiveness for those sins, but have received the righteousness that does not come from law-keeping but from Christ's perfect life credited to us through faith (Philippians 3). It means that our lives are secure and hidden with Christ in God, and that when He returns, we will share His glory (Colossians 3). Brothers and sisters, it's healthy for our hearts to "get carried away" with what Christ has achieved for us through the gospel. May we treasure the preciousness of our salvation and constantly set these truths before us each day!
What does being a new creation mean? Back in Genesis, we see that humans were made in the image of God- we were meant to reflect His likeness in governing creation with care, in relating with other image-bearers in loving-kindness. But because of sin, the image of God in every human has been marred and deformed, resulting in disordered loves that ultimately manifest themselves in rebellion against the Creator and His purposes in myriad ways- human hearts unyielded to God become inventors of evil (Romans 1)! But for those who are in Christ we have been created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we may walk in them (Ephesians 2). Those who are in Christ have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator (Colossians 3). God is at work to conform his children into the image of Christ, and will use every circumstance to accomplish His purpose (Romans 8). As those who have been brought from death to life, we learn make it our aim to please Him because His love is what controls us (2 Corinthians 5). We start putting to death all that is earthly in us- putting off the old self and its deceitful desires- and being renewed in the spirit of our minds, putting on the new self created in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4).
"The old has passed away." But it doesn't always feel that way does it? We still struggle to put off the old self day in and day out. Allowing our own desires, thoughts, and behaviors to fall back into sinful patterns is never out of the realm of possibility. It happens more often than we'd like to admit. But the truth remains- what does it mean? It means that those who are in Christ are free from having to choose sin. Sin no longer has dominion over those who are under grace (Romans 6). The power of sin has been broken. This not only means we can choose a godward life characterized by ongoing repentance and growth in holiness by the power of the Holy Spirit- it means that we will actually grow to prefer/love it. If you are experiencing any kind of struggle against sin- let's praise the Lord that we are still fighting! It means the Holy Spirit is at work in us to convict us to turn and to love the truth. Even when we fall into sin and experience sorrow- may His kindness continually lead us to repentance.
"Behold, the new has come." The abundant life Christ came to give (John 10:10) is meant to be lived out in community through His church to His glory by the power of the Holy Spirit- be it in how we eat or drink, or whatever we do- but particularly in how we love one another (1 Corinthians 13, John 13). Even though we ourselves have not seen God visibly, we have been given new affections God and for His kingdom (1 Peter 1). It's why Jesus teaches His disciples to pray "Your kingdom come, Your will be done"- the true subjects of the king will long for His return and His rule. The Spirit and the Bride (the Church) say "Maranatha!" Come Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22).
Whenever I think of this passage in 2 Corinthians 5, I always remember this bronze sculpture.
Born Again by Dean Kermit Allison
May we remember that God is the one who works in us to will and to work according to his good pleasure (Philippians 2)- all glory be to Him!
