If any man be in Christ, he is a new Creation; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Behold, all things are become new.” We love to hear about new things, new technologies, new fashion, etc. We are fascinated about newness of an arena, stadium, and theaters, for entertainment. We as human beings desire to be amused and entertained in some way. It is what we call relaxation and relaxation can be in many forms. Something new will always be the height of our fasciation. Just look at all the new kitchen small appliances on the market and the biggest item is the Nespresso machines. Our coffee is no longer percolated. There are now so many ways to make coffee at home, one does not need to go to Starbucks to get expressos or lattes. Just think about it. I grew up with the percolator and now I have a small Nespresso machine that I got for Christmas. Talk about something new. . . we love to talk about it.
What about the old percolator? It still is around, and some believe it still makes the best coffee. We end up using it when the power goes out. Now you are probably wondering what all this talk about coffee is. Well, I thought it might be a good illustration for a new creation. A new coffee machine means that you let go of the old one. The old machine is put away in some cabinet and many never see the light of day again. All the glory is in the new coffee machine. Its appearance gives way to its being new and novel. In verse 12 of 2 Corinthians, Paul mentions this glory in appearance, and not in the heart. In last week post I mentioned the importance of having a clear conscience towards God and men. We need to be honest with ourselves in who we are as humans. God is not necessary concerned with your outward appearance, but with your heart. What is the point in getting saved and going back to the same old ways or as some would say to the slime that made you sick in body and soul? We need to be made new. We need to become a new creation in Christ. Our life is not to go back into the mire. We are to pray and go forward.
Something new has taken place within our heart when we have received the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That Christ died for all and if he died for all than all were dead [see verse 14 of 2 Corinthians]. We have missed it thinking that we can live with one foot in the world and another foot in Christ. You cannot serve two masters.
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Matthew 6:24
The love and hate often happens between children wanting to serve either the mother or the father. Whoever gives out more treats. And this goes without saying when it comes to who is doing the abuse against the child. Christ died for all that all may have a new life. A new life that is not bound by the ways of this world or by fleshy desires. Do you want a new beginning? There are those who are thankful for the chance of having a new beginning in life. This is the power of God to change our heart and mind to become a new person in Christ. We ask God to do this because we cannot help ourselves. We may try but fail. Christ has already done it for us through the cross. Through His shed blood we are cleansed from all unrighteousness. When Christ arose from death, he took back what Satan took from man and that is death.
We were alienated from God through the sin of Adam. The law of the commandments and ordinances was the foreshadow of things to come. No matter how hard it was to keep in the past, today it is impossible to follow and keep. The law shows how weak man is. The law also points to Christ for the final sacrifice. Christ has abolished this enmity in order to make in himself one new man in that we would have peace with God. This new man is a new creation in Christ. The apostle Paul tells us that we are the temple of the living God and not of the dead. We are to “come out from among them, and be ye separate saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, [see 2 Corinthians 6:17]. I will receive you is based upon you coming out and separating yourself unto God. There is no compromise when it comes to being a Christian. Paul tells us to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit [see 2 Corinthians 7:1]. The works of the flesh is our selfish ambitions to consume something. This is where jealousy, anger, and envying stick out to the point of causing someone harm or to suffer. This is contrary to the will of God.
Paul further tells us Christ died for all and those who have received him should not love unto themselves, but unto Christ who died for them, and rose again [see 2 Corinthians 5:15]. A new man is a new creation in Christ and has been reconciled to God. This is done through repentance. Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation, but the sorrow of the world worketh death [2 Corinthians 7:10]. I pray that you have experienced this godly sorrow that moved you towards repentance to salvation. I pray that you are totally reconciled to God and separated unto God. I pray that you are a new creation in Christ and that His Spirit is residing in your heart to guide you in the path of righteousness as you are being changed from glory to glory. To have this experience of being changed into the image of Christ is done through the Holy Spirit.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Psalms 51:11-12
If David can ask God to clean his heart and renew his spirit, so can we. Do not allow any other thing to control you accept God. Let go of any other commitment that is contrary to the will of God. Serve God fully and ask Him to restore your joy of salvation. Let not your heart become heavy from the burden of sin. Repent, place it at the feet of Jesus and allow God to change you into a new creation in Christ Jesus. Hold your ground in Christ as ambassadors for Christ and rebuke the devil in the name of Jesus. He will flee when you stand against him [see James 4:7]. In all things “humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up,” [James 4:10]. Read the word to know His will. Be a new creation in Christ and let go of the old ways. Each day is a new day in Christ. Each day can bring new possibilities. Look forward to the promises of God in your life as ambassadors for Christ.
