A New Creation By Reconciliation

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

(Vs. 17) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” The word “therefore” takes us back to verses 14-16. Paul is telling 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 our old sin nature. Jesus took it to the cross with Him, our sin was buried with Him. As He was raised up by the Father, we are raised up to “walk in newness of life”. Romans 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. That new person is what Paul refers to in Vs. 17 as the “new creation.”. Tonight we are going to look into what Paul is telling us.

What Is Reconciliation?:

An element of salvation that refers to the results of atonement. The end of the estrangement, caused by sin, between God and humanity. John Calvin describes reconciliation as the peace between humanity and God that results from the expiation of our sin and the propitiation of God's wrath. It is an essential term, describing the "substance" of the gospel and salvation. (excerpt from Wikipedia)

What Is A New Creation?:

A new creation is something created by God. John 1:13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. This new birth was brought about by the will of God. We did not inherit the new nature …We didn't re-create ourselves. God didn’t clean up our old nature. He created something entirely fresh and new in us. The creation is completely new. Only God can accomplish this.

What Old Things Pass Away?:

(Vs. 17) “old things have passed away.”. “old” refers to everything that is part of our old nature, pride, love of sin, reliance on works, and our former opinions, habits and passions. What we loved has passed away, the love of self, self-righteousness, self-promotion, and self-justification. We look outwardly toward Christ instead of inwardly toward ourselves. The old things died, they were nailed to the cross with our sin nature.

What New Has Come?:

(Vs. 17) “the new has come!”. Old is replaced with new, all full of life and the glory of God. The newborn soul delights in the things of God and hates the things of the world and the flesh. Our purposes, feelings, desires, and understandings are fresh and different. We see the world differently.

Scripture seems to be a new book, even if we have read it before, there is a truth which we never saw before. The scales have been removed from our eyes and we can now understand it. Everything to us seems to be changed. We seem to be in a new world. We see the new wonders of heaven and earth. We have new feelings toward all people. We have a new kind of love toward family and friends. We have a new compassion for enemies. We have a new love for all mankind.

Things we once loved, we now hate. The sin we once held onto, we now desire to put away forever. Galatians 3:10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.". We “put off the old man with his deeds”.

Ephesians 4:24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.. We put on the “new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness”.

What About Christian’s Who Continue To Sin?:

There is a difference between continuing to sin and continuing to live in sin. No one reaches sinless perfection in this life. A redeemed Christian is being sanctified (made holy) day by day. We should sin less and hate it more each time we fail. We still sin, but unwillingly and less and less as we mature in Christ.

Our new self should hate the sin. The difference is that the new creation is no longer a slave to sin, as we formerly were. We are now freed from sin. It no longer has power over us.

Romans 1:6-7 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. We are now empowered by and for righteousness.

We now have a choice. Romans 6:11-12 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.

The new creation is a beautiful thing, formed in the mind of God. Created by His power for His glory. If you have accepted Christ into your heart, you are a new creation. Your old sinful nature is gone. Everything you do should be for the glory of God. Yes, we are going to stumble, but we are going to hate what we have done and learn from that experience. We are no longer slaves to sin, that is what a New Creation By Reconciliation is.