… what counts is the new creation.
Summary: What is Paul’s letter really all about? It is about something new … you!
If circumcision or uncircumcision doesn’t mean anything, what does? Paul answers this question with three words, “the new creation.”
The “new creation” is a “new” concept in this letter. Paul has been talking about it, but he has not directly explained what he means. However, if we look at his second letter to the church at Corinth, he explains this reference in detail (See 2 Corinthians 5:16-21).
Paul tells us that the “new creation” is the result of being in Christ. This is where we have to be careful about how we think about this. If we think in literal, physical terms, this doesn’t make sense. If we think in spiritual terms, it makes a lot of sense.
In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul addresses our spiritual nature in classic Pauline thinking. Talking about being unspiritual he says, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Romans 7:15). At the end of his discourse he sums our situation up this way, “I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin” (Romans 7:25).
From a psychological perspective, Paul is describing a state of schizophrenia. All Christians wrestle with having a “split mind.”* Well, technically, not a split mind. It would be more accurate to say that we wrestle with a split spirit.
The old creation, before we are in Christ, is dominated by a spirit that was corrupted when Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree (Genesis 3:1-7). Having the ability to know both “good and evil” meant that they needed God to explain the difference. The line between good and evil is God’s “law.”
Throughout Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he labors to explain why the law does not apply to those who are in Christ. It is not something that makes sense from a worldly perspective. Yet, when we experience God’s love and realize the sacrifice made by Jesus, we begin to understand the power of love and the depth of God’s love for us.
It is in the embrace of God’s love that the “new creation” is born. Our job is to embrace God back. In faith, we accept his love and trust his Son, Jesus Christ, for new life. Not just our eternal salvation, but new life in this world. A life ruled, not by fear and doubt, but by love.
Application: Review Paul’s letter to the Galatians.
Food for Thought: How does being a “new creation” change the way we experience life?
*Schizophrenia comes from Greek skhizein ‘to split’ + phrēn ‘mind.’
I suppose there are many potential angles to take with this question. For me, it changes everything and impacts every way I look at life. Before becoming a follower of Jesus I only lived for myself (I probably still do that way too often). But now my purpose in life is to pursue Christ and make Him known. The purpose of the life I now live has changed as my heart is inclined to Christ over any other god – in my same moments that would include myself.
2 Corinthians 5: 15 – 17: And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: a The old has gone, the new is here!
Philippians 3: 7 – 14: But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in a Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
*end of paragraph one should read “in my sane moments “
Rich,
Your description of the change you experienced and the verses you share well describe the impact of being a ‘new creation.’
Thank you!!
How does being a “new creation” change the way we experience life?
Good Job Rich!
Prophesy is fulfilled,
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Ezekiel 26-27
Our redemption through Christ is eternal, solid, and has no limits or boundaries. We become eternally secure, as a new creation of God.
2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”.
Do not remember the former things nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. Isaiah 43:18-19
Jesus replied, Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. John 3:3
1.) We receive eternal security and acceptance.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. John 10:28
2.) We begin a new journey being accepted by God, secure “in Christ,” and aided by the Holy Spirit as our lifestyle habits begin to pivot toward Him and we are compelled to pursue a godly character. It is a continual journey, one that the Bible calls the process of sanctification.
Do not remember the former things nor consider the things of old
Behold, I will do a new thing. Isaiah 43:18-19
3.) Because of our reconciliation to the Father, He has given us a special ministry: to spread the good news of the gospel, also known as the Great Commission.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations. Matthew 28:19
Thank you, Ron!
Security is a BIG issue. As we come to know the Lord we find ourselves in the arms of the greatest power in the universe. All of life’s worries fade into insignificance. Well said!
Such an insightful read, loved the detail you gave. God bless brother!
Hi, Omar!!
Thank you for the encouragement! 🙂
Blessings on you, too!