You are new!
How many times have you decided to turn over a new leaf or made a resolution to be better? How many times have you said you would change that and make a fresh start? How many have you succeeded at?
Today we want to talk about a new start. But not a fresh start. A brand new start.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
We are new in Christ. Through the New Birth, we are new creatures.
What does it mean to be a New Creature?
The word in the King James Version for “creature” means “creation.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NRSV)
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
At the New Birth we become a new creation of God. We are new, a brand new person inside! We are a new creation unlike anything else God created. This type of person did not exist before the New Birth at Pentecost.
Something happened inside us at the New Birth
Jesus was talking to a Jewish teacher named Nicodemus and told him about this.
John 3:6-7 (KJV)
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The New Birth takes place inside you, in your spirit. Other parts of you did not change at the New Birth. Your mind did not change. Your body did not change.
What did change if we are new creatures?
Titus 3:5 (KJV)
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
You were made new. Since it says renew, you were made new again just like before. Before what? Before the Fall. Our hearts are made pure to be able to worship and fellowship with God again.
You are a new person!
We need to realize that through the New Birth we become a new person inside! WE DID NOT turn over a new leaf or make a fresh start on our own. We are a new person, newly created.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NRSV)
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
Think about the phrase “everything old has passed away.” What does it mean to pass away? It is the polite way of saying someone died.
Colossians 3:3
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Christ was crucified in our place and our old person was crucified with Him! That old person was issued a Death Certificate, and your new person was issued a New Birth Certificate! Your old person is gone, just like anyone in a graveyard is gone.
Your past doesn’t matter
Family, social standing, ethnic background, education, and any other factor can’t keep you away from God! It was all crucified with Christ.
You cannot do this on your own power or efforts. It is by grace and the work of Christ. You were made a new person at the New Birth. Everything is new!
Today, you are new inside. You are a new person inside. You are clean by the Blood of Christ. You are free to fellowship with God. You are free to live a new life in Christ!
