Second Corinthians 5:17-21 How to Become a New Person

The Gospel in a nutshell. [John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 1:12-13: But as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God]. We are all sinners, but in Christ we are new creatures. We are all born again by the Spirit of God when we believe that Jesus paid for our sins. [Romans 3:10: As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one].

The Christian life in a nutshell. Second Corinthians 5:17 is a promise--believing in Christ and being placed in Christ. Behold: a want to follow Christ. [2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. First Corinthians 6:11: And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God].

Trust in Jesus brings new birth--the second birth. Christ changes those who come to Him by faith. Salvation is receiving a new life. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing.

When we believe, we receive the Holy Spirit and are being sanctified. We become more and more like Jesus. We have a new nature. We recognize our sins and confess them. There was a decisive break from our own life. We are changed. We are now Christ’s servants. Our old ways died. We still struggle because we still have two natures in this body.

The fading of things. We were old servants of sin. Our old ways died. The moment we are saved, we are changed. If there is no change, then we are not saved. [2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Romans 6:18: Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness].