The transformation brought about by the new birth is not only an instantaneous miracle but also a lifelong process called sanctification. For those so transformed, everything changes; the old things have passed away. Old values, ideas, plans, loves, desires, and beliefs vanish, replaced by the new things that accompany salvation. The verb tense used in this passage indicates a past act with continuing results in the present. God plants new desires, loves, inclinations, and truths in the redeemed, so that they live in the midst of the old creation with a new creation perspective (cf. Galatians 6:14). That perspective, as it is nourished and developed, helps believers gain victory in the battle against sin and conforms them into the image of Jesus Christ. Way back in the Old Testament book of Ezekiel we read, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” (36:26-27) This has been made possible by the Work of … READ MORE

2 Corinthians 5:14 tells us, “For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead.” The phrase “the love of Christ” is best seen in this context as Christ’s love for us – a love most clearly seen in His sacrificial death. As those who have passed from death to life, we have a growing appreciation for what Christ has done for us. In this passage Christ’s incomprehensible, unbreakable, unconditional life overwhelmed Paul. Christ’s love controlled Paul because he had concluded in a deep and profound way the reality of his identification with Christ. It is that identification that becomes New (2 Cor. 5:17) when we become a believer. Just as Paul was overwhelmed with gratitude that the eternal, holy God sent His Son to die as a substitute to pay the penalty for his sins, we too, should allow that marvelous truth to move in our lives to live in a way that honors and glorifies the Lord. We do not do this because we are destined for heaven (although that is a privilege of the believer) we serve the Lord and His body out of gratitude for … READ MORE

When you come to Christ and become a new creation what changes in your life as you become a new creation? 2 Corinthians 5:13 says, “Whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.” The verb “beside ourselves” literally means “to stand outside of oneself … in other words even if we seem to be “out of our mind” we remain committed to the Word of God. As a part of a new creation, we have a devotion to the truth found in God’s Word, the Bible. If a person has no desire to know the Word of God, and no desire to conform to that truth, then they are not a part of that new creation. There are times when we follow Christ, we are challenged with our sanity. “Why would you want to do that?” people might ask. The answer, The Word of God tells me that I must!” is the answer. As a steward, entrusted with the precious truth of God’s Word we need to be ambitious to glorify Him. Whether people think of us as weird or crazy should be of no consequence to us (cf. … READ MORE