2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” This verse teaches us that when someone becomes a Christian, they become a new person spiritually. Their old sinful nature dies, and they are reborn as a new creation in Christ. Let’s explore in detail what this means.
We Are New Creations in Christ
When the Bible says a Christian is a “new creation,” it means they have been fundamentally changed on the inside by God. Their old sinful nature has been replaced with a new nature that desires to please God (Ezekiel 36:26). This change begins at conversion when we put our faith in Christ. The Holy Spirit comes to indwell us, and we are spiritually reborn, or “born again” (John 3:3). Our sin is forgiven, and we are declared righteous before God (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is the beginning of the new creation process.
The old sinful person we once were is gone. That person was dead in sin and hostile to God (Ephesians 2:1-3). But now we are alive in Christ! We have new spiritual life within us, eternal life (John 3:16). We have been set free from the power and penalty of sin (Romans 6:6-7, 8:1-2). We are no longer enslaved to sin but are now slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:17-18). The old has passed away, and the new has come!
This inner transformation manifests itself outwardly in changed thinking, changed desires, and changed behavior. As new creations, we now seek to please and obey God from the heart (Romans 6:17). Our minds are being renewed (Romans 12:2), and we live not for ourselves but for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15). We become more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled (Galatians 5:22-23). This is the ongoing work of sanctification as we are conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).
We Live in the Newness of Life
Because we are new creations spiritually, we are called to live out this new life practically. Romans 6:4 says, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Being united with Christ in His death and resurrection means we now have resurrection power to walk in this new kind of life (Philippians 3:10).
What does it look like to walk in newness of life? It means we consider ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11). We no longer let sin reign in our mortal bodies but offer ourselves to God (Romans 6:12-13). We seek to please God with our thoughts, words, and actions as we rely on His grace and Spirit to help us. We strive to glorify God in all we do (1 Corinthians 10:31). Our lives take on a new direction lived for the glory of God.
This new life transforms everything – our motives, our priorities, our relationships, our speech, our conduct. Things we once loved, we may now hate, and things we once hated, we now love (Psalm 97:10). Old ungodly habits are replaced with new Christ-honoring habits and pursuits. It affects how we spend our time, our money, our energy. The new life in Christ revolutionizes every area.
We Are New Creations Inwardly and Outwardly
In summary, 2 Corinthians 5:17 teaches that in Christ we are completely renewed. This renewal begins internally in the heart as the Spirit gives us new spiritual life. It then works its way outwardly as our minds are renewed and our conduct is transformed. Charles Spurgeon said it well: “The Christian is new in his heart, he has a new understanding, a new will, new emotions, new desires, new fears, new hopes, new joys, new sorrows, new expectations, new evaluations, new apprehensions.”
This inward and outward renewal will not be completed in this life. We still struggle with sin and are far from perfect. But day by day we are being conformed to the likeness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). One day the renewal will be complete when we receive glorified bodies and are free from sin forever in heaven (1 John 3:2). What a glorious hope for all who are in Christ!
So in summary, when the Bible says a Christian is a “new creation” it means:
- We have new spiritual life within us
- Our old sinful nature has been replaced with a new nature that desires God
- We have been forgiven of sin and declared righteous in Christ
- We are no longer enslaved to sin but freed to live for righteousness
- Our minds and thinking are renewed and transformed
- We seek to please and obey God from the heart
- Our conduct and lifestyle changes as we walk in newness of life
- We become more Christlike as we are conformed to His image
- This renewal affects every area of life – motives, speech, actions, relationships, priorities, habits, etc.
What an incredible truth! When we repent and believe in Christ, we are made completely new creations. We are born again spiritually and empowered to walk in newness of life for the glory of God.
Key Bible Verses
Here are some key Bible verses about becoming a new creation in Christ:
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
- Galatians 6:15 – For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
- Ephesians 4:22-24 – To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
- Colossians 3:9-10 – Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
- Romans 6:4 – We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
- Titus 3:5 – He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.
How to Experience This New Life
How can you experience this radical renewal for yourself? Here is the way:
- Repent of your sins. Ask God to forgive you and to cleanse your heart (Acts 3:19). Turn away from everything displeasing to Him.
- Believe in Jesus Christ. Trust in His sacrificial death on the cross to pay for your sins. Believe He rose again victoriously over sin and death (Romans 10:9).
- Receive Christ as your Savior and Lord. Accept God’s free gift of salvation by faith. Also enthrone Christ as the rightful Lord of your life. Follow and obey Him.
- Ask God to fill you with His Spirit. Yield control of your life to the Holy Spirit. Allow Him to empower you to live this new supernatural life (Ephesians 5:18).
- Renew your mind in God’s Word. Read the Bible daily and allow its truth to transform your thinking and outlook (Romans 12:2).
- Rely on God’s grace moment by moment. Draw near to God continually in prayer. Depend on His all-sufficient grace to enable you to live this new life (Hebrews 4:16).
- Join a Bible-believing church. Become part of a community of believers who can encourage you and stimulate you to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25).
- Share Christ with others. Tell friends and family about the radical change Christ has made in your life. Help lead others to experience new life in Him.
If you do these things, God promises to make you a new creation in Christ! You will be transformed from the inside out by His Spirit. You will experience His power, peace, purpose, and joy as you walk in fellowship with Him.
Common Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about becoming a new creation:
Does This Happen Gradually or Instantly?
The initial transformation happens instantly at conversion. When we repent and believe, we are immediately forgiven, declared righteous, born again spiritually, and given new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). However, the outworking of this in changed attitudes and behavior is a gradual, lifelong process known as sanctification. We are transformed little by little into Christ’s image as we cooperate with the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
What About Temptation and Sin?
Being a new creation does not make us immune to temptation or totally free from sin in this life (1 John 1:8). Through Christ, sin no longer has dominion over us, but we still struggle with our old sinful habits and patterns. As we rely on the Spirit’s power, these habits can be overcome more and more (Romans 6:12-14). One day we will be free from the presence of sin when we are glorified in heaven (Revelation 21:27).
What If I Still Feel Like the Same Old Person?
Our feelings can fluctuate, but the truth of God’s Word remains steady. If you have repented and believed in Christ, then you are a new creation regardless of how you feel (2 Corinthians 5:17). Walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Renew your mind in the truths of Scripture. Rely on the Spirit’s power to change you. Over time, your emotions and experiences will catch up to the reality of Christ in you!
Can This New Life Be Lost?
No, a true Christian cannot lose their salvation or new status as a child of God (John 10:28-29). God guarantees He will complete the work He began in us (Philippians 1:6). However, Christians can backslide into serious sin and bad habits if they do not walk closely with Christ. This will result in loss of reward at the judgment seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). But their soul remains secure in Christ.
Conclusion
2 Corinthians 5:17 contains the incredible truth that we can be made completely new in Christ. When someone trusts in Jesus, they are spiritually reborn as a new creation. The old sinful person passes away, and new spiritual life comes. This enables us to walk in newness of life and to grow into Christ’s image. Praise God for His amazing grace that makes us new creations in Christ!
