A new creation

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

This is a powerful passage. There is no way we can possibly fully discuss it in one day's thoughts.  Here we have a very clear statement. No matter how we try to change it or how we try to excuse it the passage is clear and simple. 

If anyone truly is in Christ he is a new creation. Old things have passed away and all things have become new. 

You see that that says? It says if anyone is truly saved, or truly in Christ, he is a new creation. 

To personalise that it means that if I am truly saved there is a new Roger where the old Roger used to live. Of course, it is a bit of a bother that the new Roger has to live in that same old body of flesh with all of its draws and temptations. It is always going to be a struggle, but the new Roger has, or at very least, should have a new attitude. 

Where the old Roger would give in without a bother, the new Roger sees the wrongness of sin. If he does fail he knows he has failed, confesses, and seeks to do better next time. If Roger is never bothered by his sin he had better to check on the reality of being in Christ. 

Our old man was crucified with Christ, but we have been raised to walk in newness of life. Salvation always brings about a change. We can't be in Christ and be the same we we were without Christ. 

Are we living like new creations? Do our lives evidence this reality?

Here it is in black and white. If any man is in Christ he is a new creation. If there is no evidence of a new creation then can a man really be counted as in Christ?