In this bible study we will learn about being a new creation in Christ. Let’s begin with 2 Corinthians 5:17.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB1995 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Each year, Spring brings in new life all around us. The rains come, waters the soil, and life blossoms. The earth embraces the warmth of the sun, and comes alive with deep, rich colors. Hallelujah, Spring comes once when we are a new creature in Christ, for we now have eternal life. The end of the cold, dark, and harsh winter has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Meaning
As children of God, Jesus Christ is our spring of eternal life (John 4:14). He is our bread of life, Who came down from heaven (John 6:35). Faith in Jesus Christ delivers us out of the darkness and into the Light. We are changed on the inside of our very nature (character). Our entire outlook has been changed. This is what happens to us when we are made a new creation in Christ. We now make decisions based on God’s Word. Let’s back up to what our old way of life looked liked.
Old Things are Passed Away Meaning
This means, we are dead to our old way of making decisions based on our thoughts and emotions. Colossians draws a picture of a lifeless corpse, concerning our old self. We are not to entertain giving way to our old lifestyle.
Colossians 3:5-11 NASB1995 5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
Salvation kills the old things in us and brings new eternal life to us.
Ephesians 4:17 NASB1995 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
New Things Have Come, What is it Like Being a New Creation in Christ
It means life can become confusing for awhile. The lies are confronted daily with the Truth that goes against every worldly way and thought. On the inside, what we know no longer fits into the world we live in. Our life is now lived from a completely different point of view. The view we had on God and Jesus has been completely changed. The change in us will begin to be worked out of us.
What does it mean that a Christian is a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)? —>The new creation is described in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” The word “therefore” refers us back to verses 14-16 where Paul tells us that all believers have died with Christ and no longer live for themselves. Our lives are no longer worldly; they are now spiritual. Our “death” is that of the old sin nature which was nailed to the cross with Christ. It was buried with Him, and just as He was raised up by the Father, so are we raised up to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). That new person that was raised up is what Paul refers to in 2 Corinthians 5:17 as the “new creation.”… by Got Questions https://www.gotquestions.org/new-creation.html
How to Walk in the Newness of Life
Once we looked to worldly possessions, worldly ways, and worldly thinking to give us purpose, meaning, guidance, and hope. God’s word will renew our mind in all its attitudes, ideals, and thoughts. Our hope in life and meaning of life will be God.
Ephesians 4:22-24 KJV That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
We are to take off the old that is now dead and put on the new that we received through Christ. This happens through being in the Word daily and then applying it. This will change everything (basically your entire life).
Your Life Should Reflect The Change
Our love for Christ overwhelms our hearts to know God and His Son (John 17:3). Our new heart and mind will reflect our love for Jesus Christ through our obedience (John 14:15, 21-24; John 15:10). In order for this to take place, the Holy Spirit empowers us to walk in obedience to Christ commands, by confronting our lies with the Truth. This can only happen when we read and study God’s word. Then change will begin to take place on this journey while we work out the fruit of righteousness (Philippians 2;12-13). Only then can your outward life reflect the inward change.
Exemplifying a New Creature in Christ
We now exemplify our new life, knowing we are alive to God in Jesus Christ. This means, our life is lived knowing we will not die! Therefore, having died with Christ (Romans 6:8-11), we no longer live to please our flesh, but we live to please God. Our new nature is no longer a slave to sin. The new nature inside has become a “slave to righteousness” (Romans 6:20-22). Receiving Christ into our heart, we have been reconciled to God. That is, in Christ, we are accepted by God.
Conclusion
We went from being earthly minded, to learning what it means to made brand new, a new creation in Christ, and looking to your eternal future in heaven with Jesus Christ.
Colossians 3:1-4 NASB1995 1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
Romans 6:8-11 NASB1995 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Praise God! The old has passed away, and we hope you enjoy walking in the newness of life.
Enjoy our second bible study on “Old Way of Life vs. the Newness of Life (the battle begins!)”
FAQ’s
What the Bible says about being made new?
This means, our life is lived knowing we will not die! Therefore, having died with Christ (Romans 6:8-11), we no longer live to please our flesh, but we live to please God.
- ginomai: to come into being, to happen, to become
- 1096 gínomai – properly, to emerge, become, transitioning from one point (realm, condition) to another. 1096 (gínomai) fundamentally means “become” (becoming, became) so it is not an exact equivalent to the ordinary equative verb “to be” (is, was, will be) as with 1510 /eimí (1511 /eínai, 2258 /ēn).
1096 (ginomai) means “to become, and signifies a change of condition, state or place” (Vine, Unger, White, NT, 109).
M. Vincent, “1096 (gínomai) means to come into being/manifestation implying motion, movement, or growth” (at 2 Pet 1:4). Thus it is used for God’s actions as emerging from eternity and becoming (showing themselves) in time (physical space). by Discovery Bible - kainos: new, fresh
- 2537 kainós – properly, new in quality (innovation), fresh in development or opportunity – because “not found exactly like this before.” by Discovery Bible
Where in the Bible does it say all things are made new?
In 2 Corinthians 5:17 it tells us how all things are made new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!” It also tells us how we are made new. 2 Corinthians 5:18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
What is meant by new creation?
Our new creation (nature) is no longer a slave to sin. The new nature inside has become a “slave to righteousness” (Romans 6:20-22). Receiving Christ into our heart, we have been reconciled to God. That is, in Christ, we are accepted by God.
- ktisis: creation (the act or the product)
- Cognate: 2937 ktísis – properly, creation (creature) which is founded from nothing (this is also the sense of this term from Homer on); creation out of nothing (Lat ex nihilo). See 2936 (ktizō) and 2939 /ktístēs (“the Creator”) for lengthy discussion on “creation-facts.” by Discovery Bible
What is the verse, 2nd 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.
Here are some great bible studies to deepen your walk with the Lord.
- What Life Are You Exemplifying, Light Or Darkness? – 1 John 1:5
- The Way Of A True Believer, Includes Repentance And Our Walk. 1 John 1:7&9
- Man’s Mind Plans But God Directs His Path (Proverbs 16)
- Living In Dark Times – Word Of Encouragement
- Where Is God When I Need Him Most
Video
“Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org”
