I'm NEW!!!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come. — 2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV


Tonight I read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 and came away with this conclusion: this passage of Scripture is one of the most profound passages in all of the Bible. Because of that, I want to share thoughts on each verse over the next few days. This is just me sharing my time in God's word, trying to understand and to be enamored by the love of God and what he has actually done for us.

Because of the fact that I am in Christ, I am a new creation. If you are reading this and you are in Christ, you are a new creation. How do I know this? Because Paul uses the word anyone. He is not speaking of only himself, or of Christians during that time. Rather, he sharing a universal truth for every person who is in Christ.

But what does it mean to be in Christ? It means to be in a surrendered relationship with Jesus, where you have exchanged your sinfulness for his righteousness (imputed righteousness). And because of this surrendered life, I am a new creation. I am no longer the same. The old ways of life have passed away and the new life has taken over.

This doesn't mean that I won't struggle with sin, but rather just the opposite. Before Christ I was not aware of my need of a Savior. I was held captive by sin. I was not free to not sin, but rather in bondage to sin. But because of the fact that I am in Christ, I AM CHANGED! Because you are in Christ, YOU ARE CHANGED! We are not the same. We are different. Free to not sin. Free to honor Jesus. Free to enjoy God. Free. New.

Have I truly accepted this? Have I allowed this to become a reality in my life that leaves me changed in every-day life? Am I living in the newness of life? This passage screams to me that I am no longer the same. My old ways of life are dead. I don't enjoy sin. Rather, I despise it. I am a new creation. I no longer live my life, but rather it is Christ living in me by his Holy Spirit (see Galatians 2:20).

God — You don't add on to my life when I surrender to you. Rather, you get rid of me completely and start over to build something new. You have made me brand new. For this I can never say thank you enough. I cannot believe that you did this for me. Thank you. Now please help me, by your Holy Spirit, to live in the reality of my new identity and personhood in you.


And as I was writing this blog, "Carried to the Table" by Leeland came on. The lyrics of this song touched me heart and ministered to me in such a powerful way. I pray that they do the same thing for you:

Wounded and forsaken

I was sheltered by the fall

Broken and forgotten

Feeling lost and all alone

Summoned by the King

Into the Master's courts

Lifted by the Savior

And cradled in His arms

I was carried to the table

Seated where I don't belong

Carried to the table

Swept away by His love

And I don't see my brokenness anymore

When I'm seated at the table of the Lord

I'm carried to the table

The table of the Lord

Fighting thoughts of fear

And wondering why He called my name

Am I good enough to share this cup

This world has left me lame

Even in my weakness

The Savior called my name

In His Holy presence

I'm healed and unashamed

You carried me, my God

You carried me

— "Carried to the Table" —

— by Leeland —