“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17
Abba, Father, can it really be true that I am a new creation? Is the significance of your Spirit in me that profound—I’m a new person? Totally new? When I reflect upon the years, I realize that once I was blind to my need of a Savior, but now I see. I once was deaf to voice of my shepherd, but now I hear. I once was dead to a love for my God, but now I have new affections. I once was condemned in my sin, but now I have been set free through the cross. I once lived without hope, but now have an eternal inheritance of glory to experience and enjoy. New, yes. New eyes. New ears. New affections. New hope. New peace. All is new! Oh, how I praise and worship you for the gift of the new creation! “The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Yet, Father, as I reflect upon this verse, I have a question. Could it be that Paul is weaving together several aspects of the new creation? Or might there be various strands to unweave in order to understand why the old has passed but still wreaks havoc in my life? Is is possible that Paul is speaking of regeneration, justification and sanctification in one bundle?
By virtue of the Spirit’s regenerating grace, I am a new creation who has been given new eyes and ears—eyes and ears that lead me to repentance and faith. Then, having confessed my sins and received your forgiveness, I am justified. Legally, the old man has been crucified and condemned at the cross, and by virtue of your gospel declaration, I am now counted as righteous in your sight because of the merits of Jesus credited to me.
Father, this is where I think that the sanctification part comes in. Definitively, you have pronounced me holy. However, you have told me through the same apostle that I am continually to put off the old self and put on the new. On one hand it is a declaration (my justification) and on the other it is a process (my sanctification). That explains why the old self sometimes seems to be so alive and destructive in my life. It blinds my eyes to the truth and covers my ears to your voice. It deceives me with alternate affections, and when I fall, it condemns, seeking to convince me that I could never be a beloved son of the Father.
That is why I pray for ears that will be able to listen to your word, which tells me that the old self was crucified with Jesus in order that my sinful nature might be brought to nothing, so that I will not be enslaved to sin. So that is what I need. Ears to hear the gospel. Eyes to see the cross- the bronze serpent who has healed my wounds and forgiven my sin. There is no more condemnation! Then, in believing my justification I will be free to pursue sanctification by abiding in the righteousness of Jesus and, by the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, manifesting his fruit.
So Father, as your new creation, let my eyes see, my ears hear, my heart beat and my feet walk to the praise of your glorious grace.
