A New Creation
By Joe Caruso Stories
Experiencing something new is always exciting, whether it’s a new year, a new job, or a new member of the family. When we embrace something for the first time, it always leads to an adventure. New is also a common theme riddled throughout the Bible, signifying a fresh start with unlimited potential.
- A New Heart and a New Spirit (Ezekiel 36:26)
- A New Song (Psalm 40:3)
- A New Name (Isaiah 62:2)
- A New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-33; Luke 22:20)
- A New Commandment (John 13:34)
- A New Creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
A New Creation
Of all these references, A New Creation is one of my favourites. The idea that we can be made new, regardless of the failures or regrets we’ve experienced hardly seems possible. Yet it is.
Since man’s original sin in the Garden of Eden, God’s plan has always been to reconcile humanity back to him. This plan culminated in Jesus, God’s only son, coming into the world to die for the sins of us all. Jesus’ death became the ultimate sacrifice that would pay the price of sin and reconcile us back to God.
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is at the heart of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” But how does this this process work? What exactly passes away and what becomes new?
Out With the Old
Like a seed must go into the ground for a plant to grow, we too must die to our old selves. Jesus himself used this image of the seed when he described the transformative power of his sacrifice.
The seed must be buried and die for the plant to flourish. If the seed is kept alive, it can’t become the plant it was designed to be. A seed isn’t designed to remain a seed; it’s designed to grow into a plant. In the same way, we weren’t designed to live in our sinful state; we were designed to become children of God.
God wants to remove all the bad habits, behaviours, thoughts, past mistakes and regrets that keep us from being the new creation he called us to be. God wants to transform us into something new. We have to let go of what needs to die so something new can flourish.
In With the New
Not only are we called from our old ways, we’re also called to a new way of living. The transformation that takes place changes our very identity. Isaiah 61:3 describes the transformation of becoming a new creation in a beautiful way.
We will be called oaks of righteousness to display God’s splendour. This is the new creation! It’s a spiritual exchange, designed by God, whereby we voluntarily give up our old nature in exchange for a new nature that reflects Christ to those around us.
In Galatians 5:22-23 Paul calls this new nature the fruit of the Spirit. We become a new creation by exchanging our old nature for a nature of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
The call to a new creation isn’t an easy one. The process, of dying to our old self and being renewed is a continuous battle requiring discipline, perseverance and trust in God. But it allows God to mould us into who he created us to be.
So, how do we systematically peel away the old nature and replace it with a new nature? Becoming a new creation is a process, that takes place between you and God, so I can only speak from my own experience. I can only offer a few suggestions that have helped me in the past.
1. Start by being honest before God. Ask him to help you identify the old things that need to go and the new things that need to start. I start with small, practical things that are necessary and I’m willing to commit to.
2. Next, meditate on what God has revealed to you. Ask God to help you choose just one thing to stop and one thing to start. I find when I try to do too much at one time, it becomes overwhelming.
3. Take action. Once you’ve determined what has to change, make the exchange. The old is gone, the new begins. It sounds easy but this is where the battle takes place. It’s not easy to change.
4. Stick with it. I try sticking with the changes until they become second nature or a habit.
5. Get support. Talk to someone you trust. Matthew 18:20 says, where two or three are gathered together God is there. God never intended for us to walk alone. There’s power in community.
With each micro improvement, you’ll allow God to transform you into a new Creation. Or as Isiah put it, God will give you beauty for ashes. This is the great exchange, designed by God, to mould us into the new creation he called us to be.
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