Only a New Creation!

Only a New Creation!

This is what Paul found to be so captivating, and it is only this message that truly comforts us, we who are sick and tired of that which comes from ourselves. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17. When Jesus was instructing His disciples about being faithful in money matters, and that he who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much, the Pharisees derided Him. Luke 16:10-12, 14. “And He said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.’” V. 15. This shows that it is possible to say a lot of good things in a human way about a person’s good qualities. It’s easy to be impressed and praise various deeds people do which have not been done in Christ. There can also be things about a person that aren’t good, or that don’t have a good effect, and that aren’t well spoken of. Paul—who more than anyone else had things that he could boast about in a human way—was not interested in any of this.

It is the word of faith—which says that something new and heavenly will come from our lives—that comforts the hearts of disciples. And on this point, we can be in complete agreement with Paul, who writes: “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ . . .” And he writes further that “. . . neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.” Gal. 6:14-15. In 2 Cor. 5:14-16 he writes: “. . . because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh . . . .” It takes a powerful cleansing in our lives to come to this. But it is entirely possible by working out our salvation with seriousness. Think how wonderful it is that old things have passed away! From now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. We can take up this position of faith!

May we live our lives in Christ and be faithful in the stewardship we have been entrusted with, so that our lives and words may be unto edification and comfort to the disciples. Then we can take part in building up and fulfilling what is lacking here and there, and in this way, help with building the body of Christ. This is the greatest work we can carry out on earth. There is work and room enough here for everyone who has the mind of Jesus Christ, He who served and gave His life as a ransom for many. May God give us grace to follow Him!