New Life in Christ
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17
What is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 5:17?
2 Corinthians is the second letter written by the apostle Paul to the Corinthian church. The Corinthian church was a young and diverse congregation that Paul had founded on his second missionary journey. However, after Paul left Corinth, problems arose within the church, and he wrote several letters as a response to these issues.
In 2 Corinthians, Paul continues to address problems within the church and also defends his own apostleship. He speaks of the hardships and persecutions he has faced as an apostle, but also of the comfort and encouragement he has received from God.
In chapter 5, Paul talks about the believer's future and present state of being in Christ. He encourages the Corinthians to focus on the things that are eternal, rather than temporary things. He also talks about the believer's future resurrection body, and how it will be different from our present body.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul writes, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" This verse emphasizes the transformative power of faith in Christ. It shows that when we put our faith in Jesus, we are made new and given the opportunity to live a new life, free from bondage to sin and death.
Benefits of New Life in Christ
The Bible teaches that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ which produces new life in the believer.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."
John 1:12 says, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
1 John 5:1 says, "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God."
The Bible teaches that faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to receive salvation and new life in Him. This faith involves acknowledging Jesus as Lord, believing that He died for our sins and rose again, and committing to follow Him as our Lord and Savior.
It is important to note that this new life in Christ is not earned by good works or our own efforts, but it is a gift from God, offered to us through faith in Jesus.
There are many benefits to our new life in Christ, some of which are:
Forgiveness of sins
Ephesians 1:7 says, "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace."
Righteousness
2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Eternal life
John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Adoption as children of God
Galatians 4:5-7 says, "God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.' So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir."
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit
Romans 8:9-11 says, "You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you."
Access to God
Ephesians 2:18 says, "For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."
Peace with God
Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Power to overcome sin
Romans 6:14 says, "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace."
New life in Christ brings many benefits. These benefits come as a gift from God, offered to us through faith in Jesus Christ. This faith involves acknowledging Jesus as Lord, believing that He died for our sins and rose again, and committing to follow Him as our Lord and Savior. This new life in Christ brings transformation and change in our hearts and minds, leading us to live a life that honors and glorifies God.
Prayer for New Life in Christ
Heavenly Father,
I come to you today in humility and repentance. I acknowledge that I have fallen short of your glory and that I am in need of your forgiveness and salvation. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died on the cross for my sins, and that He rose again on the third day, overcoming death and sin.
I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and I believe in my heart that God raised him from the dead, I ask you to forgive me of my sins, come into my life, change my heart and make me a new creation in Christ.
I accept the gift of salvation that you have freely offered, and I ask for the power of your Holy Spirit to guide me in my new life. Help me to grow in my understanding of your Word and to live in a way that is pleasing to you.
I pray that you would use me to be a light in this world, to share your love and truth with those around me, and to bring glory to your name.
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of new life in Christ. I praise and honor you, now and forever. Amen.
