Transformed by Grace: Embracing the New Creation in Christ

By Dean Collins

There may be nothing better than a fresh start, and in many areas of life there are rhythms and rules that allow a new beginning. My golfing friends know that if you didn’t play well on the front nine, you get a fresh start on the back nine. In every sport there is a new game, a new series, or a new year to improve individual and team performance.  

In business it might be a new fiscal year or a new role you have been granted that brings about a fresh start. In regard to time, we all have a new day, week, month, and year to find ways to put past mistakes behind us and work toward new ways to learn, grow, and live.

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we find the best new beginning we could possibly imagine or experience: 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Sit with that verse a minute. Consider both the incredible gift that we have been granted and the resulting implications for our lives and relationships.  

Paul didn’t say, “If anyone attends church regularly…” Although being in Christ will lead you to being active in the church.

He also didn’t say, “If anyone reads their Bible every day and prays regularly…” But being new in Christ will prompt a new desire to spend time in God’s word and in prayer.

Neither did he say, “If anyone tithes or gives generously…” But an abiding relationship with Jesus does transform giving generously of our time, treasures, and talents.

Paul made a remarkable declaration. The work of Jesus on the cross changes everything. We go from dead to alive, from old to new, from old ways of self-protection and selfishness to new ways of generosity and freedom. Paul’s teaching in Romans 8 helps us understand the significance of this change. We no longer walk in the flesh, but as new creations we walk by the Spirit of Christ.

What are the implications of this change that has occurred in us? Our ways of thinking about others, our lives, and our behaviors must all align with Jesus and his way of thinking about others. The way we treat others should reflect the way Jesus treats others.

When we become new in Christ, we may still have the same job, but our primary job is as ambassadors of Christ. As ambassadors, we represent Jesus in the sharing the good news of reconciliation so that others both near and far might experience the transformation that only Christ can bring.

Is there a litmus test to see if we are acting consistently with our new identity in Christ?

It might be Paul’s statement in chapter 5 verse 14: “For the love of Christ control us.” This indicates that everything about our life is rooted in and flows from the love of Christ. Our transformation can and must change how we interact with others. How we see others, how we treat others, how we forgive others, how we extend grace to others all flow from the compelling love of Christ that brought about our transformation.

There are no categories or relationships that are excluded in our transformation.

Do we show the love of Christ in our family? In our work relationships? In our leisure activities? In our politics? And what about how you speak of and treat those who have different political views? 

I don’t know about you, but this passage has caused me to do some self-evaluation. The areas where the love of Christ are not visible must be repented of so that I can be led by the Holy Spirit and not by my biases.

If the love of Christ has transformed us, then we must daily renew our hearts and minds and allow the Holy Spirit to bring to our attention any attitudes, relationships, or thought processes that are not consistent with the mind of Christ.

Father, today we thank you and praise you for Jesus! Thank you for his Spirit who guides us and continues to renew our hearts and minds to reflect you in the world around us. Forgive us for the times we have walked and operated in the flesh instead of being led by your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Romans 8:4-11 ESV

Photo by Bankim Desai on Unsplash
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