A New Creation

A New Creation

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

II Corinthians 5:17

Whereas, at the beginning of this verse, the Apostle Paul raises the subject of our soul’s position in Christ, he goes on, in the second part to address the matter of our soul’s regeneration. We, who were out of Christ, are positionally in Christ. God chose us in Christ, ‘before the foundation of the world.’ In the course of human chronology, however, there must come a new birth to those of us who are born ‘dead in trespasses and sins.’ Christ speaks of the necessity of this, in His address to Nicodemus, when He says, ‘You must be born again.’ Who does this birthing? John speaks in the first chapter of his gospel of those, ‘who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.’ We see that it is God the Creator, Who enacts this ‘new creation’ by the power of His Word and the Agency of His Spirit, in the same manner in which He created the world. He speaks, the Spirit acts, and it is done. The outward manifestation of the inward regeneration is conversion. Our testimony is that of the old hymn. ‘I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew, He moved my soul to seek Him, seeking me. It was not I, who found, O Savior True; no, I was found of thee.’ The praise and glory for our new birth belongs to God and God alone. He has placed us ‘in Christ.’ He has regenerated us, and caused us to be ‘born again.’ Salvation is, from start to finish, the work of God. Let us together praise Him today for this saving work.

Our Gracious and Holy Saving God,
we rejoice today in your redemption, accomplished and applied.
We give You glory, honor and praise,
that You have saved us by free and sovereign grace.

Where the Bush is Burning
Tomm Tice