“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
Paul tells the Corinthian church that every Christian is made anew—a “new creation”. The old is gone and the new is come. What is this old nature that has passed away? What is the new nature?
Here are some examples from Scripture:
Once walking away from God, as Adam. “And Adam…hid from the presence of the Lord” (Genesis 3:8).
Now walking with God, as Enoch. “And Enoch walked with God” (Genesis 5:22).
Once walking in our own way, as Balaam. “Balaam rose up in the morning . . . . God’s anger was kindled because he went” (Numbers 22:21,22).
Now walking in the truth, as the elect lady and her children. “Walking in truth” (2 John 4).
Once walking after the world, as Demas. “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present evil world” (2 Timothy 4:10).
Now walking after the world to come, as Abram. “He looked for a city…whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10).
Once walking in unbelief, as Israel. “Because of unbelief they were broken off” (Romans 11:20).
Now walking in faith, as Moses. “By faith he forsook Egypt” (Hebrews 11:27).
Once walking in darkness, as Judas. “Went immediately out; and it was night” (John 13:30).
Now walking in the light, as John. “If we walk in the light” (1 John 1:7).
Once walking in hatred, as Saul of Tarsus. “Saul yet breathing out threatenings” (Acts 9:1).
Now walking in love, as Paul. ” Because ye were dear unto us” (1 Thessalonians 2:8).
Once walking in sin, as the Ephesians. “Ye walked according to the course of this world” (Ephesians 2:2).
Now walking in Christ, as the early Church. “Walking in the fear of the Lord” (Acts 9:31).
George says
March 20, 2012 at 4:28 amFor the majority of my life I lived in the world Blind, Deff, Dumb, Crippled. Not knowing the spiritual world around me. But by the grace of God and his foreknowledge I’m now healed as his elect, Now the word is alive and living in me. Do I believe in miracles? YES, because I’m one.
Colossians 3:1-17
Living as Those Made Alive in Christ
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
I
Small Shot says
March 20, 2012 at 6:14 amWhen the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.
My “Once’s” are too awful for me to write or speak or even think. But now I am free in Christ Jesus my Lord and Savior! These are not just words on a screen, these are sincere words of conviction and proclamation!
There is no pit as deep that God isn’t deeper still. He pulls us out of the very pit we ourselves foolishly dig and willingly jump into.
Thank you for setting me free from me. Now walking in freedom.
Mathew says
March 20, 2012 at 8:19 amThe hindus pray “thamasso maa jyotirgamaya.. It is like driving around with a Kerry/Edwards bumper sticker now in the heat of the primaries, when Barak is reaping the heads of ‘Sin Ladens’ (2Tim.3:6). People will think you are dumb.
Out of darkness into his marvelous light!
God hath shined in our hearts
Out of bondage, slavery of sin into glorious LIBERTY – BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY!
This is the greatest Love Story ever told. Our God indeed is much more greater than Romeo!
Constrained (the powerful steam engine piston comes to my mind!), compacted by the love of Christ, I gladly go, walk my antiworld-wise course by faith victoriously. Hallelujah. Grace be with you all.
Poor and needy one,
mathew
Patrick Russell says
March 20, 2012 at 12:54 pmI wonder if any of you have noticed the incredible myriad of mysterious heavenly signs. A really strange spiral over Oslo, Norway last year. The comet Hale-Bopp is a twin tailed sign, to me, signifying that things were healthy, then Bam! Thats the Bopp part. Anyway, Jesus foretold these days in Matthew 24. Daniel mentioned this time, as did others. This is the time of the end. It is the end of a 26,000 yr cycle. Aliens and UFOs are showing up, not to mention crop circles, weather anomalies, ancient secrets being unveiled, the installation of a world government, and a one world currency en route. Christians, the fake ones, aren’t going to make it in the days ahead. Christ must be the very essence of each of our beings. Only Christ will stand. Remember the secret Paul shared, “I show you a mystery hidden from the foundation of the world, that is, “Christ IN YOU!, the hope of glory.”
Now if you really believe Christ indwells you, than you (your Self, or Ego), must bow down and submit completely to His rulership, in every area of your life. That includes me folks.
I am sure glad that God is Love, and is all those good things Love includes. He is my Daddy, and I crawl up in His lap, by faith, and remind Him I am His idea, not mine. What would you like to do with me today? Jesus claimed that “My sheep hear my voice, and another they will not follow”. Also, “as you do to the least of my brethren, you do unto me”. Thats because He is Christ, and Christ is in everyone, but not unveiled in everyone.
Thats the good news we are supposed to be bringing, declaring, and demonstrating by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our job is to speak, as He declares, and keep ego’s mouth shut.
Easier said than done.
The scariest scripture, “They that be Christ’s have crucified the flesh, and the lusts thereof.”. Love you
Mathew says
March 20, 2012 at 4:26 pmTWO WAY CRUCIFIXION
1)THE WORLD IS CRUCIFIED UNTO ME &
2) I UNTO THE WORLD!
THE MARKS OF THE LORD JESUS
OR
THE MARK OF THE BEAST
Now is the time; and the choice is yours.
Grace be with you all. Maranatha!
Poor and needy one,
mathew
MESSENGER - 2 says
March 20, 2012 at 5:17 pmBrother Patrick ; Prophecy fulfilled lately ; 1 st Joel C. 2 vs. 30 ; KJV … And i will shew wonders in the heavens and in the Earth , Blood , and Fire ( What Color is Lava ? Red Like Blood ? Hot ? ) , and Pillars of Smoke … !!! ( Volcanoe Eruptions in Iceland and Chile … ) 2 nd ; Joel C. 3 Vs. 16 : The lord also Shall Roar out of Zion , and utter his voice from jerusalem ; and the heavens and the earth shall ” Shake ” ( 9.0 earthquake , march 11 2011 = Japan ; moved 8 feet , ” Shaked ” the earth on it*s AXIS ) ; but the lord will be the hope of his people , and the strength of the children of Israel … !!! God Be Praised through Jesus Christ for all things … TEST THE SPIRITS …. amen Shalom
MESSENGER - 2 says
March 20, 2012 at 3:05 pmShalom to all , the past is human nature… , me , myself , I , a selfish ” Mind ” , Putting your ” Soul ” – Mind , Will , Emotions , First , and not Submiting to God*s Will … !!! … The ” Carnal Mind ” seams right to a man , but the end leds to Death … Proverbs C. 16 All but vs. 1 – 9 , 25 , Is the lord*s Warning about ” Human Nature ” … !!! … The Present is ” Denying Yourself ” like Jesus Said ; And to ” Follow Him ” … , The Word of God and your connection to your Relationship to God … meditating on it … Day and Night … !!! … 1st Cor. C. 15 all but Vs. 39 – 49 … Tells Of ” Parallel Universes ” = Spirit ( Breath of life ) – Celestial / Physical ( Terrestrial – Adam from Dust of earth to Us )* Vs. 40 * … In Our Bodies , as in the Cosmos ( War between the Two ( God and the devil )…for Control ) … !!! That*s why the ” planets ” are Void Wastelands … With ” Controlled Chaos ” , Violent Storms , Wonders to Astrophysicists … ( Rev. C. 12 All ) !!! Seek the ” Mind Of Christ ” … where ” Hidden Knowledge ” IS … Psalms C. 147 Vs. 5 … Thanks Praise Glory Blessings to Elohim through Yeshua , Bless everyone … !!! Forgive others as Christ has Forgiven ” Us ” , And to love them !!! ” The Will Of God ” amen shalom
Mathew says
March 20, 2012 at 4:35 pmCould you pl. amplify the meaning of the name YESHUA. All things consist by him, but what does this word consist?
Poor and needy one,
mathew
MESSENGER - 2 says
March 20, 2012 at 6:03 pmBrother Matthew ; ” Yeshua ” Hebrew and Means Joshua … like the book of Joshua – a servant and friend of God ( Joshua and Caleb made it to the promised land , Joshua took Moses Place ) – And Jesus Christ , our Lord and Savior … , our Slain Lamb of God , like the old Passover ; A Male , unblemished , no broken bones … !!! Jesus Christ Fulfilled That … New Covenant to Keep = Passover Feast including foot washings , Unleavened bread and wine on april 7 th 2012 at twilight – sunset – John C. 6 All But Vs. 25 – 27 ( Seal Of Christ from God ) , Vs. 49 – 56 ( Become one with Jesus Christ and our Father – God of Abraham , Issac , Israel ; The Seal of GOD ) Rev. C. 14 All !!! Be Strong and of good Courage … The lord Looks to a Broken and a Contrite Heart , bless you as well as others …Pray for the peace of jerusalem amen
MESSENGER - 2 says
March 20, 2012 at 7:29 pmHow to keep Passover ; At sunset on April 7 , 2012 … Have Unleavened bread ( Matzo = Manna – Angel food = Body of Christ ) , Wine or grape juice ( Water if you can*t Afford It – Jesus Turned Water Into Wine – John C. 2 vs. 1 – 13 = The Blood of Christ ! ) Pray the ” Our Father ” Prayer , wash each others feet – Humility ( Remember what Jesus Said to Peter : ” If I Don*t Do This , You have ” NO PART ” with Me – John C. 13 vs. 1 – * 7 – 8 * – 9 … the Word of God is For ” ALL ” believers of Christ Jesus … !!! Bless and Brake the matzo , and Bless the wine ( Remember that Melchesidec brought bread and wine to Bless Abraham ) … !!! I Eat A Piece of Matzo ; 1 to our Father – God , 1 to Jesus Christ , 1 to the Holy Spirit , then i give the Same to Others ; Then Drink wine ( for Adults ) ; Grape Juice or Water For the ” Little Ones ” … !!! * Note * : This Service is Holy … Spend Time And Prayer with God Sincerely Before Passover … !!! Pray Outloud or Sing Psalms 118 All During Passover !!! * Note # 2 * ; Hebrews in 2012 Will Celebrate ” Passover ” to the Law Of Moses ; Eating Lamb … Hebrews C. 10 All But vs. 1 – * 16 * – * 19 * – 39 … Thus DENYING JESUS CHRIST – the Lamb of God – Atonement for our sins !!! Glory to God Through Christ – Malachi C. 2 Vs. 7 : For the Priest*s LIPS Should Keep Knowledge , and they should seek the Law at his mouth ; For he is the Messenger of the Lord … Of Host … !!! ( Angels ) … The Law Of Christ Jesus … * Note # 3 * Rev. C. 2 Vs. 17 ; * Hidden Manna * – WHY is it HIDDEN … ??? Bless everyone …amen shalom !!! …
MESSENGER - 2 says
March 20, 2012 at 7:58 pmOOpps ; one more thing ; In the law of Moses ( O.T. ) , Passover was Kept for 7 days … Jesus Christ Kept ” One Night ” with His Disiples of Passover … * A Sign * Between God and his people … Hebrews C. 8 All but vs. 7 : For if the 1st covenant had been Faultless , Then should No Place have been sought for the 2 nd !!! = the Law of Christ … from the – our Father through Christ Jesus to Us , a better Covenant … amen
Mathew says
March 21, 2012 at 1:10 am1) Who is this Melchisedec?
2) What is The Ministry after the Order (manner?) of Melchisedec?
I usually tell people, “Boldly, humbly, diligently read Hebrews 7 times & respond & radicalize, Read – Respond – Radicalize, a radicalized Christian! Grace be with you.
Poor and needy one,
mathew
Lynn says
March 20, 2012 at 8:20 pmWhat to do with deep feelings when denying self and in a relationship? Need practical Scriptural suggestions on how to deal with inevitable ensuing feelings of hurt, anger, disappointment, resentment when trying to put self to death. Those feelings and desires don’t just go away, they get buried inside. Taken them to Lord so many times, have asked Him to change me, my reactions, but I feel numb inside since nothing changes. Wish I could deny myself and love despite hurts as Christ did prior to and at the Cross. Do not sense myself as a new creation in Christ at all.
bare says
March 20, 2012 at 9:20 pmHi Lynn Your last statment, you made about not senseing yourself as a new creation,tells me you are a new creation or else you would not ask that question.If you confessed your sins, asked forgivness,and most of all asked Jesus Christ to be your lord and saviour,you are a new creation. I remember asking Jesus about 6 monthes after being born again,why iI did not fell any different he showed me by the Holy Spirit how my life was already changed and changin, A process still working in my life today,32 years later.A father, grandfather,of third generation belivers,GOD works.Read and pray lots of praying he, Jesus is faithful to fulfill his WORD in you.I will be praying for you! Love in christ
Mathew says
March 21, 2012 at 12:27 amSister, Glasnost & Perestroika are twins! Your frank Openness has already turned on the dynamic process of Restructuring. Believe it. Many people do not have, sense a “felt need”. They say, “I’m COMFORTABLE with my religion, church, irreligion.” Keep thanking God, ‘Shout of a king is among them (Num.23:21). Suppose you are sitting quietly in a quiet backyard. Even though everything seems to be quiet a lot of things are happening there, worms are busy underground, plants are breathing, cooking, moles tunneling… The Holy Spirit is at work, the word of God is active (Heb.4:12). Live by faith. Try to worship in spirit and in truth, find such a fellowship and see ( sight comes later!) the glory of God.
Mortification is a bye-product of quickening, cauterizing by the Holy Ghost & Fire. Come to our church, come& see. My God can make your mountain a mole hill. Grace be with you. Amen.
Poor and needy one,
mathew
MESSENGER - 2 says
March 20, 2012 at 3:46 pm* Astrophysicists have figured out that * Black Holes * have enough energy to rip anything apart … ( Not even Light passes Through … ??? !!! ) , and they have traced the black holes back to one Finite point … !!! Soloman Spoke Of ” Where ” ; ” The LORD DWELLS IN DARKNESS ” … !!! Faith Hope Peace Mercy Love from Mount Zion … Malachi C. 3 … Read your Bible …!!! amen !!!…
MESSENGER - 2 says
March 21, 2012 at 8:54 amShalom to All , Continued ; This Is The Equation ” Formula ” to ” Dark Matter ” , ” Dark Energy ” … Y = Hod … By Astrophysicists In Our Infinite Universe in the ” Cosmos ” … approx. 70 % of space consist of this matter … !!! … How Does The Earth With Everthing on it ( Millions of Tons ) ; is ” Suspended on Nothing ” … Spoken about in JOB C. 28 all ( WISDOM of God ) …??? And All The Other Planets , Galaxys , Stars , Moons , Etc … ??? … Psalms C. 147 All but vs. 5 Explains It … !!! Take GOD OUT of The ” EQUATION ” Like Science Has Done … ” Big Bang Theory ” ; Monkey Mechanics … ( Apes , Chimps , Are our Closest Relatives ) ??? …GOD SPOKE , Then Big Bang … SCIENCE is a study of * God*s Creation … Which is Evolving … Ecclesiastes C. 8 All but vs. 1 – 9 ; vs. 15 – * 17 * … Glory to God through Jesus Christ , Amen Shalom !!! …
MESSENGER - 2 says
March 20, 2012 at 4:08 pmE=MC^2 = Love – 1st John C. 4 Vs. 1 – 8 !!!… Pass it On …!!! … Infinite Celestial Love from Up Above … Amen …