DNA Week 2
DNA WK 2
2 Corinthians 5:17 (nasb). '17Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
This verse packs an explosive truth
The Condition: "If anyone is in Christ"
Everything1. The Condition: "If anyone is in Christ"
1. The Condition: “If anyone is in Christ”
Everything hinges on this phrase: being “in Christ.” This isn’t about
casual church attendance,
good morals ~
trying harder.
It’s union with Christ through faith—
trusting in His death for your sins and His resurrection for your new life.
If we read verses 14&15 '14For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
Paul says that Christ’s love compels us because He died for all, so those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him.
If you’re “in Christ,” you’re not just improved—you’re united to Him.
His righteousness becomes yours,
His Spirit indwells you,
His victory over sin and death becomes your inheritance.
2. The Reality: “He is a new creation”
The Greek word here for “new creation” points to something radically fresh, like the dawn of a new world.
This echoes Genesis 1—God creating out of nothing—but now applied to the human heart.
You’re not refurbished; you’re remade from the inside out.
The old self—dominated by sin, self-centeredness, pride, rebellion against God—has been crucified with Christ
Romans 6:6(nasb) '6knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; '
That old nature no longer defines you. What rises in its place is a new person, born again by the Spirit
John 3:3-6(NASB) '3Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”4Nicodemus *said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” 5Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. '
This new creation isn’t always immediately visible in every area of life—we still battle the flesh—but positionally and fundamentally, you are changed. The seed of God’s life is planted in you, and it will grow.
3. The Transformation: “The old has passed away; behold, the new has come”
• The old has passed away:
Old patterns of thinking,
old idols,
old ways of finding identity in success, approval, or sin.
These things lose their power because their penalty was paid on the cross, and their grip is broken by the Spirit.
• Behold, the new has come: Look! See it!
New desires—for holiness,
God’s Word, for loving others.
New priorities—no longer living for self but for Christ.
New relationships—seeing people through God’s eyes, even enemies. morals, or trying harder. It's union with Christ through faith—trusting in His death for your s
This isn’t gradual self-improvement; it’s a decisive break and a glorious beginning. The “behold” invites wonder and confidence: God has done this!
Application: Living as the New Creation
1. Believe it: Many Christians live defeated because they don’t grasp their new identity. Remind yourself daily: “I am in Christ. The old is gone. The new has come.”
2. Pursue it: Put off the old habits
Colossians 3:19-0(nasb) '9Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,'10and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— '
Ephesians 4:24 (nasb) '24and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. '
3. Proclaim it:
Paul links this new creation to the ministry of reconciliation
2 Cor. 5:18-20(nasb) '18Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Friend, if you're in Christ today, celebrate: You are a new creation! The old life of bondage is over; the new life of freedom in Christ has arrived.
If you're not yet "in Christ," today can be the day. Trust Jesus—His finished work on the cross—and step into this new reality.
