17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17. CSB
Romans 8:1-2 reminds us that the old has gone, the new has come. Again in Ephesians 4:24, we read 'and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness'. When we ask Jesus into our life, we become a new creation - a new person. Take notice of this following statement and possibly write it down:
'The forgiven worshiper is not the old person cleaned up; he is a new person.' This one line statement was taken from a footnote to Psalm 51:10 in the The CSB Apologetics Study Bible.
To get a glimpse of all of this, we need to pick the bones of Old Testament Times. David asked 'God, create a clean heart for me and renew, a steadfast spirit within me.' Psalm 51:10.
The heart is the spiritual nature of a person; the centre of the will with the capacity for making choices. This prayer of David, is for God to re-create that spiritual side, so that he doesn't continue to make wrong choices. Forgiveness may not be enough to solve the problem; there must be a complete spiritual renewal.
Before the incarnation and resurrection of Jesus, the Holy Spirit appeared to function differently. The spirit came upon people responsible for administering the rule of God, such as - prophets, priests and kings etc. However, His indwelling was not always permanent as it became in the New Testament. For instance, look at how it was when Saul sinned against the Lord. He was rejected from his kingship (1 Sam 16:14). The Spirit left him. David's plea was for this never to happen to him.
Since Jesus lives and reigns within us, the Holy Spirit dwells permanently within us as the seal of eternal life. Some may say that we are sinners saved by grace and there is a truth to this. However, before we knew Jesus we were sinners but since we have become saved, the old has gone and the new has come. As our text today tells us: 'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.'
2 Corinthians 5:17. CSB
We must therefore, take on board and understand that we once were sinners but the 'old man' was taken away by Jesus when He entered our lives. Therefore, we are re-created people.
Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard.
If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:
Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.
In Jesus' Name. Amen'
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk
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