“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).