The Results of a New Life in ChristSample

NEW NATURE

2 Corinthians 5:17—The term “new nature” refers to the spiritual transformation that occurs within us when we believe in Jesus as Savior. At that moment, we each become a “new person” (Rom. 6:6; Eph. 2:15; 4:22–24; Col. 3:9–10). The concept of newness can have one of two basic meanings. In one sense, making something new means to renovate it or to repair it. This is a newness of quality. In the other sense, making something new means bringing something into existence. This is a newness of nature. The Scriptures describe Christians being made new in the latter sense. We are not renovated or refreshed versions of the old; rather, we are brand new. We have a new family, a new set of values, new motivations, and new possessions.

For believers, the battle is in living our true, new identity in Christ while casting off our false, old identity. There are times when we “resurrect” the old person and live in our former ways, such as by lying (Eph. 4:22; Col. 3:9). Instead, we must put on our new identity in the same way we would put on new clothing (Col. 3:10). In other words, the new nature must be cultivated or nurtured by spiritual decisiveness to grow in Christ. We must not revert to putting on the old attire of the former life; rather, we must continue to grow in this new life (Eph. 5:8). The message of the new nature is a message of supreme hope: the Spirit of God can accomplish a life-changing transformation for all who will only believe in Christ.

This Bible study is an excerpt fromThe OPEN Bible, Published by Thomas Nelson Bibles