0406. THE NEW CREATION
THE NEW CREATION
"If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things are passed away: behold, they are become new" (2Co_5:17, R.V., margin).
I. The Condition of It. "In Christ." "If any man is in Christ he is a new creation." This implies that we have fled to Him for shelter and salvation-as the man-slayer fled to the City of Refuge-staking refuge in His atoning work. In Christ, as the branch is in the vine, for strength and supply; in Christ, as the member is in the body, for sympathy and service.
II. The Nature of It. "A new creation." It is a reformation in a very radical sense. "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus" (Eph_2:10). There is a new life. Born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. There is a new mind. "Renewed in the spirit of the mind" (Eph_4:23), and able now to comprehend something of the character and power of God in Christ Jesus. There is a new heart. The affections that were alienated from God are now centred in Him. There is a new spirit. The Spirit of God now bears witness with our spirits, implying oneness of purpose in service and testimony. There is a new song, because there has been a new revelation of Divine mercy and grace (Psa_40:1-3).
III. The Results of It. "The old things are passed away; behold they are become new." With the new creation then comes new views of sin. Sin is now seen to be a crime and a curse, and the old view of it being a debt, or a misfortune, passes away. There comes also new views of self. Self is now seen to be a worthless, unclean thing, and it too becomes an "old thing" only fit to pass away. The old unscriptural views of Christ pass away, and new Spirit-inspired views take their place. Jesus Christ is no longer a Saviour waiting for us at a death-bed, but a present, living reality in the daily life. The old things which used to interest us in the world are passed away, and behold, new interests have been awakened. In the old life the pleasures and profits of the world were the objects of our desires, but now the desire is for the salvation of the world. It used to be the place of amusement for self, but now it is a workshop for Christ.
IV. The Privilege of It. "If any man." The door into this new and better life stands open for all. "Any man," no matter how weak and helpless, no matter how sad and sinful, "any man, " no matter how old and forgetful if he steps out of sin-ruined self into Christ, will instantly become a new creation. For, in Christ, God is reconciling the world unto Himself.
Autor: James Smith