In Christ: A New Creation

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Cor. 5:17)

In Christ is the key phrase. That alone means that the old is gone and the new has come. Let us thank God.

"It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption" (1 Cor. 1:30). Wisdom from God is made up of three things: our past, our present, and our future.

Our past is the moment of our justification, our righteousness given to us by God. "But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe" (Rom. 3:21-22a). "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). This is forgiveness of sin in our hearts.

Our present is our sanctification, our holiness in our hearts. "It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality" (1 Thess. 4:3). "Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God" (2 Cor. 7:1). This is our obedience: not sinning and positively obeying.

Our future: the redemption of the body at the return of Christ. This hope is in our hearts. "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body" (Phil. 3:20-21). "Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies" (Rom. 8:23).

When we read our Bibles, most of our meditation will be on our sanctification, but that is based on our past (our justification) and looks forward to the redemption of our bodies. All of this comes from being in Christ.

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