A New Creation

"If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation- the old has passed the new has come."  2 Corinthians 5:17

Then I saw let down from heaven a new heaven and a new earth... Rev. 21:1; 2 Peter 3:13

Thoughts:  There are many nuances to Paul's admonition that those in Christ are new creations.  Jesus said it is like being born again.  So there is a fresh start- a new life with God and the old way of life is gone.  We become adopted and our passports would read "citizens of heaven."  In this sense we are made new- like the blind seeing.  Certainly at the beginning of the new year, it is a good time to think of re-starting and renewing our commitment to God.     
   But in a kingdom sense, we are also part of a new heaven and a new earth.  There are those who emphasize this coming only at the end of history, or taking this literally as a physical new earth and heaven.  But heaven came down to earth in Jesus, and the world is not the same.  Eternal life does not begin after you die- but the minute you are born again.  We get to taste a part of the kingdom now.  But more than this, we look forward to false views of life- on earth and heaven going away and seeing clearly (not through a mirror dimly) so that the new heaven and earth is made complete at the end of old earthly history.   For now we get a spiritual glimpse into eternity, but we will eventually get a full view at the end when creation is re-created.  All the false values and false securities are erased and the person and love of God are seen as the true center of things.  When we become new creations- it is a part of the re-making of earth and the re-making of heaven.

Prayer:  Lord, let me not take your ability to change me and to change my world for granted.

Daniel B. Holeman's image of new heaven and new earth

New Creation

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
(2 Corinthians 5:17)

Thoughts: This is one of the seminal verses in the New Testament.  There is so much here.
First it says that it is possible for anyone to be in Christ.  No matter what you have or don't; how much you know, or don't; no matter who you are or where you are from; or even what how bad or good you have been in the past.  Anyone can come.
    But we come to be "In Christ." This is a mystical but important union.  We are adopted "into" His family.  We are a part of His body- part of who He is, and He is part of who we are.  But this oneness is contingent on our believing in Him- following Him. Anyone is welcome- but we must be one with Him not only in faith but also on His same path.  Anyone should not say they are one with Christ but then not even try to follow in His way.
      But once you are truly in Christ everything is different- it is new.  It is like, as Jesus said (John 3), we are born again.  The old way of life- the old way of thinking and looking at things is gone.  No longer do we live for ourselves or live for some temporary cause.  There is a new heaven and a new earth in our eyes.  We look at things with new glasses.  A person in the dark may not see well-but when they put on night vision goggles they see everything.  A person who has faith sees people as valuable; life as purposeful; work as a way to glorify God; the words we say and deeds we do as meaningful.  Anyone who is in Christ can have everything new. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you invite even me to this new way of life.  Thank you for giving me another chance- a new lease on life.