I am a new creation

I am a new creation

The Bible says ‘Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come (I Cor 5:17).

This can be very hard to grasp because so often we look at our lives, our sins and shortcomings and think, ‘how can I be a new creation?’  The truth is that when we asked Jesus to forgive our sins and we asked God to be Lord of our lives, something amazing happened.  We were born again or born of the Spirit.  Nicodemus, a Pharisee, came to see Jesus at night and when Jesus told him he needed to be born again he just couldn’t get it.  Jesus told him that you cannot enter the kingdom of God unless you are born of water and the Spirit (John 3:5).  You must be born again.

This means that our old self, which Paul calls the body of sin, had to be dealt with. All this body wanted was to please itself. However Paul says this body was crucified with Christ so it could be done away with (Romans 6:6) and this released us from the slavery to sin.  Sin no longer controls us; sin no longer rules our lives.  We have been set free from sin to live for God, we have been born again. 

So why do we go on sinning?  It takes time to learn new habits and new ways of doing things.  Our old sinful attitudes, habits and mindsets can be deeply ingrained but the good news is that the Holy Spirit, dwelling in each one of us, guides and leads us to increasing freedom from sin and its clutches.  The Holy Spirit never loses patience and never gives up on us.  He will keep on working in our lives.

Today, do not get discouraged if you feel you are not making any progress or if you feel that you will never be free of a sinful habit.  Remember the power of sin is broken in your life.  Ask the Holy Spirit to help and strengthen you till you have the complete victory. 

You are a new creation; you are no longer the person you were – praise God – and he will lead you into increasing freedom to be the person he created you to be.