“If any man be in Christ, he is
a new creature: old things are passed away; behold
all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Whenever any person becomes a
new creature in union with Christ, he or she becomes
a new person altogether. There is a whole new
creation whenever a person comes to be in Christ.
The effect is the old life is passed away and a new
life has begun. Everything becomes new in Christ.
The person who is in Christ and has experienced the
new birth is a part of the new creation.
We are new creatures in Christ
Jesus. There has been a re-creation in which God has
given us a new set of senses, values, and spiritual
principles.
Before we were spiritually
blind, now we see with spiritual eyes, and we see
all things new.
Before we were spiritually deaf
and we could not hear God’s Word, and now we have a
new set of spiritual eyes and we hear and respond to
the Holy Spirit.
Before our minds were in
spiritual darkness, and we called bad, good and
good, bad. Now we have the mind of Christ and we see
the difference between that which is good and that,
which is evil. Our minds are now being renewed day
by day.
Before our hearts were hardened
to spiritual truths, and we hated God and the things
of God. Now God has changed them from hearts of
stone to hearts made alive to the things of the
Spirit.
Before we were spiritually
dead, and now we have become new creatures in Christ
Jesus.
Before we were a people without
hope and now we have a living hope in Christ. Apart
from the resurrected, living Christ we cannot have
any true hope of anything beyond our grave.
Before we were without God in
this world and now we have come to a living
relationship with the one and only true God. We were
separated from Christ and without God, but now we
have an intimate personal love relationship with
Him.
We were “dead in our trespasses
and sins,” but now in Christ we are made alive and
have been brought near through the blood of Jesus
Christ (Eph. 2:13).
God has brought us near to
Himself through the atoning blood of Jesus. There
are no other legitimate means of coming into His
presence.
Before we were “cut off” and
“excluded from the citizenship of Israel,” but now
we are no longer foreigners and aliens but fellow
citizens with God’s people and members of God’s
household” (2:19). Now we are citizens of heaven and
sons of God.
Before we were cut off from the
covenants and promises of God, but now we are
“members of one body, and sharers together in the
promises in Christ” (3:6).
Before we were “without God,”
but now we are “members of God’s household”
(2:19-20).
Please take a few moments and
draw a line down the middle of a sheet of paper and
think about what your life was like before you
became a Christian. In the other column list what it
has been like since Christ changed your life. This
is what my life was like before I became a
Christian, and this is when I put my faith in Christ
to save me. Now these are the changes Christ has
wrought I my life. Then take a few moments and
reflect upon what you shall be like when Christ
returns, or when He calls you home in death to be
with Him in heaven.
What a great new life we have
in Christ!
Selah!
Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006
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Unless otherwise noted "Scripture quotations taken from the NASB."
"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE" © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://www.bible.org/. All rights reserved.
Wil is a graduate of William Carey University, B. A.; New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Th. M.; and Azusa Pacific University, M. A. He has pastored in Panama, Ecuador and the U. S, and served for over 20 years as missionary in Ecuador and Honduras. He had a daily expository Bible teaching ministry head in over 100 countries from 1972-2005. He continues to seek opportunities to be personally involved in world missions. Wil and his wife Ann have three grown daughters. He currently serves as a Baptist pastor and teaches seminary extension courses in Ecuador.
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Reports on what God is doing through Bible believing evangelical Christians in Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, India and Ecuador. Jesus said, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7).
Study the master theme of the Bible with these prophecies and types in the Old Testament of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
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