Christians – New Creatures

Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new. (2 Cor. 5:17, KJV)

When a person is born again or born from above, there is a fundamental shift in his spiritual identity. Although the born-again person may look basically the same on the outside, the inner man of the heart—who he truly is—has changed. He has been created after the new man in righteousness and true holiness (Eph. 4:24). This is a mystery, but the Bible says that a believer has become a child of God, not born naturally, but of the Spirit (John 1:12,13). The Book of Titus summarizes this miracle by saying, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” (Titus 3:5 kjv).

A Basic “DNA” Change

At the moment of salvation, the spiritual “DNA” of a believer changes. This transformation, which Jesus called the new birth, both washes and renews us. The physical body has not changed, but the spirit of the person has been “born again” through regeneration. Through the Spirit, Jesus Christ has come into the human heart to take up residence and, if allowed, take over every area to God’s glory.

I have seen this “born again” experience even make a person look better than before because the joy of salvation shines right out from the hidden man of the heart. It’s like getting a haircut, manicure, steam bath, and workout all rolled up into one. This is a divine operation. Once it occurs, the person has a new frequency on which they can function—a direct wireless connection to heaven’s throne. The password to gain access to this throne is simple to remember: Jesus! What a name!

So powerful is this name that Peter and John were commanded by the religious leaders of their day not to even speak it. But their response was that they could not help speaking about what they had seen and heard (Acts 4:20). Earlier, they had declared that there is no other name under heaven by which man must be saved (Acts 4:12).

The New Testament makes it clear that there was the first Adam and then there was the second Adam, Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15:22 KJV states, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” One man, Adam, was from the earth and perished, as did all who came after him.

But Jesus, the man from heaven, brought eternal life that is now available to all who follow after Him. What a promise from God’s Word! This is great news for all mankind.

From the time of the Fall, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s “house rules,” sin reigned and lead to death. But the second Adam, Jesus, died for our sins once for all and brought eternal life and salvation to all who believe. Jesus is the Captain of our Salvation (Heb. 2:10 kjv), the Author of Life (Acts 3:15), the Great I AM (John 18:6), the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6), the Overcomer of the World (John 16:33), and Mighty God (Isa. 9:6).

An individual who puts his or her faith in Jesus literally becomes a new creature. Everything has changed. Their world has been turned right side up. They begin to see things in the light of God and His Word, which is spirit and truth. They will never be the same again.