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.
“Therefore” marks this significant verse as the logical conclusion to a lot of what Paul has written so far in the letter. It summarizes his theology in one succinct statement. It holds timeless and universal truth. It reaches the height and depth of the good news of Jesus Christ. It is truly one of the high points of any of Paul’s letters. It is helpful to reflect on each major idea in these verses.
“If anyone” indicates that this is an open invitation. There are no human prerequisites to this invitation. It goes out to the whole world. Our job as disciples is to make sure people hear and understand this invitation in their heart languages. This can be challenging today because are saturated with information. The good news gets lost in the midst of all the other news.
“Is in Christ” is the primary reason we have been created. It is only in a relationship with Christ that we come to know who God is and who we are at the deepest level. We find our ultimate purpose when we are found in relationship with Christ. To be “in Christ” requires the responses of faith and obedience. Faith is trusting in God’s promises in Christ. Obedience is making that faith active in how we think and behave.
“New creation” is the result of putting our faith in Jesus Christ. Christ makes all things new because it was through him as the Word that God created all things in the first place. To experience this new life requires that we die to the old way through laying ourselves on the altar as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2). God waits for us to come in faith. Recreation is not done by human power but requires the human response of faith and obedience. We must believe and then act on that faith by commitment and heeding the guidance of the Holy Spirit who will transform us from one degree of glory to the next (2 Corinthians 3:18).
“The old has gone” is what happens when the new life in Christ is embraced with faith and consecration. The old life is what keeps us trapped and mired in habits and ways of living that cause pain and sorrow. Many of these habits are fueled by sin and self and will keep us away from God. Even the worst of sinners and the most ensuring habits can find new life through Jesus Christ. This happens through the Spirit who brings this new life (Romans 8:1-3).
“The new has come” reflects back on the new creation that results when one puts his or her faith in Jesus Christ. People instinctively seek new things because of the decay of the world. Things fall apart, break, deteriorate, and are destroyed. We have to keep replacing the things of our life, from the simplest item to the most complex structure or equipment. Everything needs fixed. We can experience a newness through Christ. In other parts of the Bible, this is connected with God’s kingdom. The kingdom is breaking into the world through the lives of those who have been sanctified and filled with the Spirit. We can experience newness now. We are in a constant growth and transformation into the new image for which we have been purposed and created. The good news of Jesus does this when we fully embrace it through the consecrated and committed life.
For older posts, click here.