LIVING AS A NEW CREATION

LIVING AS A NEW CREATION

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Supporting Texts: Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 3:3-7; Romans 6:4-6; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:9-10; Titus 3:5; Romans 12:2

Description: Becoming a new creation in Christ is a complete spiritual transformation that gives us a new identity, new desires, new conduct and a new purpose.

INTRODUCTION

The gospel does more than improve a person's behaviour; it transforms the person from within. When someone comes to Christ in genuine faith, God gives that person a new spiritual identity. Paul describes this miraculous change by saying, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.”

The new creation is not simply a decision to become better or an attempt to correct the mistakes of the past. It is the work of God in the human spirit. Through Christ, the believer receives new life, a new relationship with God and a new direction for living.

However, experiencing new birth must be followed by living according to the new identity we have received. We must put away the patterns of the old life and allow the character of Christ to become increasingly visible in us. The new creation is both a position in Christ and a lifestyle that should be evident every day.

1. THE NEW CREATION BEGINS WITH BEING IN CHRIST

The foundation of the new creation is our relationship with Jesus Christ. Outside Christ, humanity remains separated from God, but in Christ we receive new life.

a. Christ Is the Source of New Life (John 14:6) — Jesus is the way to the Father and the source of spiritual life.

b. We Must Be Born Again (John 3:3) — Spiritual transformation begins through the new birth.

c. Salvation Is God's Work (Titus 3:5) — We are saved through God's mercy and the renewing work of the Holy Spirit.

d. Faith Brings Us Into Christ (Galatians 3:26-27) — Through faith in Christ, we become God's children and are identified with Him.

Biblical Example: Nicodemus came to Jesus with religious knowledge but discovered that he needed the transforming experience of the new birth (John 3:1-7).

2. THE OLD LIFE HAS PASSED AWAY

The new creation means that the believer's former way of life no longer has the same authority. The old nature and its sinful patterns must be rejected.

a. Old Things Have Passed Away (2 Corinthians 5:17) — In Christ, the former life is no longer the believer's defining identity.

b. Put Off the Old Man (Ephesians 4:22) — We must deliberately reject the corrupt patterns of our former life.

c. Die to Sin (Romans 6:6) — The believer must refuse to allow sin to rule over the life Christ has redeemed.

d. Do Not Return to the Former Life (1 Peter 1:14) — We are called to live differently from our former desires and ignorance.

Biblical Example: The people of Ephesus who believed in Christ publicly abandoned their former occult practices and demonstrated that their old way of life had changed (Acts 19:18-20).

3. GOD GIVES THE NEW CREATION A NEW HEART

God's transformation begins internally. He changes the heart and gives the believer new spiritual desires.

a. God Gives a New Heart (Ezekiel 36:26) — God promises to remove the heart of stone and give a heart of flesh.

b. God Gives His Spirit (Ezekiel 36:27) — The Holy Spirit enables God's people to walk in His ways.

c. God Creates a Clean Heart (Psalm 51:10) — Genuine transformation involves inner purity.

d. God's Love Is Poured Into Our Hearts (Romans 5:5) — The Holy Spirit enables believers to experience and express God's love.

Biblical Example: After Pentecost, Peter who had previously denied Jesus became bold in proclaiming Christ publicly through the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:14-41).

4. THE NEW CREATION REQUIRES A NEW WAY OF THINKING

Transformation must affect our minds. What controls our thinking will eventually influence our behaviour.

a. Be Transformed by Renewing Your Mind (Romans 12:2) — God's Word changes the way we think and discern His will.

b. Think on Things Above (Colossians 3:1-2) — Our minds should be directed towards heavenly realities.

c. Bring Thoughts Into Obedience (2 Corinthians 10:5) — We must reject thoughts that contradict God's truth.

d. Think According to God's Word (Philippians 4:8) — Believers should deliberately fill their minds with things that are true, pure and worthy.

Biblical Example: Daniel maintained a disciplined and God-centred mindset in Babylon and refused to allow the surrounding culture to determine his convictions (Daniel 1:8).

5. THE NEW CREATION PRODUCES NEW CONDUCT

A changed heart should produce changed behaviour. Our outward conduct should demonstrate the inward work of Christ.

a. Put on the New Man (Ephesians 4:24) — The new nature should become visible in righteous living.

b. Speak Truth (Ephesians 4:25) — The new creation rejects deception and embraces honesty.

c. Walk in Love (Ephesians 5:2) — Christlike love should characterise our relationships.

d. Bear the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) — The Holy Spirit produces Christlike character in the believer.

Biblical Example: Zacchaeus demonstrated genuine transformation through a radical change in his attitude towards wealth and restitution (Luke 19:1-10).

6. THE NEW CREATION HAS A NEW PURPOSE

God does not transform us without giving us a purpose. We are saved to know God, serve Him and become instruments of His kingdom.

a. We Are Created for Good Works (Ephesians 2:10) — God has prepared good works for His people to fulfil.

b. We Live for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15) — Christ died so that we would no longer live for ourselves.

c. We Become Christ's Ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) — The new creation carries the message of reconciliation to others.

d. We Must Bear Fruit (John 15:5) — Remaining in Christ should produce spiritual fruit.

Biblical Example: Paul moved from persecuting the Church to becoming a powerful apostle and preacher of Christ (Acts 9:20-22; 26:15-19).

7. THE NEW CREATION MUST CONTINUE GROWING

Being born again is the beginning of a journey. We must continually grow in Christ and allow Him to transform us.

a. Grow in Grace (2 Peter 3:18) — Spiritual maturity requires continual growth.

b. Study God's Word (2 Timothy 2:15) — God's Word strengthens and equips believers.

c. Remain Connected to Christ (John 15:4) — Fruitfulness depends upon abiding in Christ.

d. Become More Like Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18) — As we behold the Lord, we are progressively transformed into His image.

Biblical Example: The early believers continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers (Acts 2:42).

8. LIVE CONSISTENTLY WITH YOUR NEW IDENTITY

The new creation must be reflected in every area of life. We should never allow our old identity to dictate our present conduct.

a. Know Who You Are in Christ (1 Peter 2:9) — Believers have a new identity and calling in Christ.

b. Refuse the Pull of the Past (Philippians 3:13) — We must stop allowing former things to control our future.

c. Walk Worthy of Your Calling (Ephesians 4:1) — Our conduct should correspond with the calling we have received.

d. Let Your Light Shine (Matthew 5:16) — The transformed life should point others towards God.

Biblical Example: Joseph remained faithful to God despite the circumstances surrounding him and eventually became a testimony of God's purpose and faithfulness (Genesis 39:2-9; 50:20).

CONCLUSION

Being a new creation in Christ is one of the greatest miracles of salvation. God does not merely repair the old life; He gives us new life in Christ. Our past no longer has to define us, because our identity is now rooted in Jesus. Old things have passed away, and God has given us a new beginning.

Let us therefore live according to who we are in Christ. Let our thoughts be renewed, our conduct transformed, our hearts filled with God's love and our lives devoted to His purpose. May the evidence of the new creation be clearly seen in us, and may our lives continually bring glory to Jesus Christ.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for making me a new creation in Christ, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, let every remnant of my old life lose its influence over me, in Jesus name.

3. Father, give me a new heart that loves You and desires Your will, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, renew my mind through Your Word and transform my thinking, in Jesus name.

5. Father, let my conduct continually reflect the character of Christ, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, reveal and establish Your purpose for my life, in Jesus name.

7. Father, help me to grow continually in grace and in the knowledge of Christ, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, deliver me from every temptation to return to my former ways, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let the evidence of Your transforming power be visible in every area of my life, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, help me to live faithfully as a new creation until the end of my journey, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall continually walk in the reality of the new creation.

2. Your past shall not determine the future God has prepared for you.

3. You shall receive grace to overcome every pattern of the old life.

4. Your heart shall continually be renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

5. Your mind shall be transformed by the Word of God.

6. Your conduct shall increasingly reflect the character of Jesus Christ.

7. You shall discover and fulfil the purpose for which God saved you.

8. You shall grow continually in grace and spiritual maturity.

9. Your life shall become a visible testimony of God's transforming power.

10. You shall finish your Christian journey faithfully and bring glory to Christ.