What Does it Mean to Be a New Creation in Christ?
Paul gives a brief description of the new creation in 5:17: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Through the work of Christ on the cross and his resurrection, God fundamentally transforms believers from the inside out. The change isn’t just an outward change of behavior. They had that in the law, and it clearly didn’t work to change hearts. The new creation is spiritual rebirth. In Christ, and Christ in us, Jesus’ disciples are born of the Spirit (John 3:5-6). God gives his divine nature to replace the old sin nature.
Before repentance unto Christ, sin rules the heart and decisions. After believing in the Son, God grants a new heart and spirit. Christians aren’t slaves to sin; they live to Christ’s righteousness. This changes identity from the world to God and heaven. No longer just created by God in his image, believers are begotten of God by the Spirit, from love and mercy. This new nature is able to reject sin and follow God. No one could follow God without the Spirit.
This leads us to a new law (Romans 8), the Law of Spirit and Life. We walk not in our own strength but by the Spirit. In following the Son, we become more like him over time. What God birthed in us will be completed, because Jesus is the beginning and the end. And we will live with Him in glory.
What Does 2 Corinthians 5 Mean for Us Today?
The church in Corinth had several problems: division, sexual immorality, pride, and questioning Paul’s leadership. And yet Paul still held them responsible for the ministry of reconciliation. He didn’t give them an excuse or a pass on the ministry. The apostle corrected their disobedience, warned against false teachers, and affirmed his authority, but he did it all by calling them to their identity in Christ as new creations, including sharing the Gospel. In the same way, we must live up to our mission to invite people to reconciliation with God, despite our flaws and imperfections.
God’s love drives us. We don’t share the Gospel to condemn or tear down but to share the joy of God’s work with others. We were all once enemies of God, but through the loving work of Christ, the Father reconciled us back to himself. The same invitation extends to all the world, and the Lord’s plan includes pleading to the lost through us. God makes his appeal through our lives, our words, and our witness. We must participate if we love others.
Additionally, 2 Corinthians 5 teaches us to always keep our eyes on the unseen and eternal. The judgment seat of Christ is real, and that truth urges us to walk by faith for the reward to come. Further, this eternal perspective motivates us to lovingly engage with the world. We accomplish this not in our own strength but from the Spirit within us. Let us walk by faith with our eyes fixed on eternity and invite all we come into contact with to join us on the narrow path to life.
Peace.