New Creation

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

What is it to be a new creation? What must we do to become entirely different entities, containing new vision, new understanding, new needs? In the book of John is the account of Jesus and His meeting with a man named Nicodemus, a Pharisee and lay leader among the Jews. Nicodemus, approaching Jesus under cover of darkness, asked the teacher: "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him". Nicodemus' reference both to Jesus as Rabbi and as one sent from God affirms his respect for and desire to understand the message taught by Christ.

Jesus replied, saying "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." What did Jesus mean when He said "born again"? Nicodemus wondered this precise question, asking further:

"How can a man be born when is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"

If Nicodemus had listened just a little more closely, perhaps he would have perceived the spiritual meaning in Christ's words. The Greek expression gennethei anothen means literally "from above" or "from the beginning". It is certainly logical to see where Nicodemus misunderstood, however it is my own opinion that his confusion had an underlying purpose for the benefit of future literal thinkers. Indeed, how can one be born again once one is already old? Physically, it is impossible. Spiritually, it is necessary if one desires to see God's kingdom.

The theological doctrine of regeneration defines being born again as God's transformation of individuals, His giving of a new spiritual vitality and direction to their lives. Having been born into sin and darkness (Romans 3), mankind finds himself in a completely fallen and depraved state, entirely cut off from fellowship from God. If we are to partake of God and His kingdom, we must be born anew. There is no other way, as Christ affirms (John 14:6) to God, to eternal life, to purpose but through Him. What Christ was revealing to Nicodemus was a need felt by the nations for centuries, a need that could not be met through any act of humanity. When we take up the cross of Christ, believing upon is word and deeds of atonement and reconciliation, we are reborn and renewed (John 3). We are new creations.

As new creations, reborn by the Spirit and baptism, we are bequeathed a new heart, undivided, tender, and receptive to God's instructions and love (Ezekiel 11:19-20). Our supernatural transformation renders us new creations, born of God (John 1;12-13; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29; 5:1). Rebirth involves the whole reversal of our natural or fleshly tendencies, as is attested to by Paul (Galatians 5:24-25). A necessity of new birth incorporates necessarily the death of certain aspects of ourselves. Just as the caterpiller, in a sense must let go certain characteristics of itself if it is to become a fully functioning butterfly, so must we put to death our sin nature if we are to fully regenerate into the new creation God intends us to become (Ephesians 2:1-10). Though our salvation and regeneration have naught to do with personal merit or works and are instantaneous and entirely the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we must continually put down the Old Man. We are to be no longer conformed to this world (Romans 12:2). Regeneration is the birth by wchich this work of new creation is begun, as sanctification is the growth whereby it continues (1 Peter 2:2). Secure is our status as new creations, yet our growth is not guarunteed, as it is a process for which we are totally responsible. Our old self has beeb buried with Christ and our new self has arisen with Him. We must no longer revel in the grave, but strain to soar to new heights with the Savior.