“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but CHRIST LIVES IN ME; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live BY FAITH in the Son of God, who loved me and GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME.” (Galatians 2:20)
To understand the new creation, first we must grasp that it is in fact A CREATION, something CREATED BY GOD. “…as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become CHILDREN OF GOD, to those who believe in His name: WHO WERE BORN, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but OF GOD.” (John 1:12-13) This tells us that this new birth was brought about by the WILL OF GOD, we are BORN OF GOD. We did not inherit the new nature from our parents or decide to re-create ourselves anew. Neither did God SIMPLY CLEAN UP OUR OLD NATURE; He created something ENTIRELY FRESH AND UNIQUE. The new creation is completely new, brought about from nothing, just as the whole universe was created by God ex nihilo, from nothing. ONLY THE CREATOR could accomplish such a feat. The new creature looks outwardly TOWARD CHRIST instead of inwardly toward self. The OLD THINGS DIED, NAILED TO THE CROSS WITH OUR SIN NATURE.
“I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must NO LONGER LIVE AS THE GENTILES DO, in the futility of their thinking. They are SEPARATED FROM THE LIFE OF GOD BECAUSE OF IGNORANCE that is IN THEM… Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to EVERY KIND OF IMPURITY…That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in Him in accordance with THE TRUTH THAT IS IN JESUS. You were taught, with regard to your FORMER WAY OF LIFE, to PUT OFF YOUR OLD SELF, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to BE MADE NEW in the attitude of your minds; and to PUT ON THE NEW SELF, created TO BE LIKE GOD in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:17–24)
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for BUILDING OTHERS UP according to their needs…Be KIND and TENDER (eusplagchnos: compassionate, sympathetic) to one another. FORGIVE EACH OTHER, just as God forgave you because of what Christ has done.” (Ephesians 4:29, 32)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham