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