HE IS A NEW CREATURE
By John C. Carpenter
 
The aspostle Paul wrote the church in Corinth, For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause, For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old [Greek, archaios, original, primeval, first estate, beginning, or of old time] things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:1-17).
 
YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN
 
In verse 17 above, the word new is translated from the Greek word kainos, which means newly fresh, fresh in respect of age, a new person, become youthful, or be regenerated. The word creature is translated from the Greek word ktisis, which means original formation, buildiing, creature, or found from the original. When Paul used the term new creature, he as referring to a new, youthful, and regenerated creature which is in contrast to the original building, formation, or creature. Regeneration is considered by many to be a moment in time [the new birth] which jump starts a life-long process of change and growth. With God, transformation, modification, newness and change is not only inevitable and essential to Him, it is of great value and joy.
 
Many verses in the new testament scriptures refer to Christians becoming a new person, things changing, being renewed, or being born again. One of the best examples is found in the story of Jesus' interaction with a Jewish leader named Nicodemus. The story goes as follows: There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again [a second time], he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit (John 3:1-8). In order have eternal life, Jesus clarifies for us the necessity of regeneration. First, we are born physically, of the flesh; then in order to see the Kingdom of God, we must be born spiritually of the Spirit, a second time by the power and operation of the Holy Spirit. As Paul wrote, man must be born of water [physical birth] and of the Spirit [spiritual birth]. Regarding the body of Christ, the church of believers, Christ will sanctify and cleanse it [change it] with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:26- 27). Christ will do away with our spots and wrinkles and make us holy and without blemish. Paul also instructed the belivers in Colossae, Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all (Colossians 3:9-11).
 
Likewise, the apostle Paul exhorted the church in Ephesus, ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed [renovated, reformed] in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:20-24). The believer is to put off the former ways of our old man and life, and put on the ways of righteousness and true holiness found in the new man, personality, behavior, and life. The apostle Peter also taught, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten [Greek, anagennao, to bear again, to procreate again, or regenerate, to bring life again] us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:3-4). We are begotten, or procreated again unto a living hope because of the resurrection of Christ. Paul also wrote Titus, who the apostle referred to as his own son after the common faith, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing [Greek, loutron, a a bath, washing, to cleanse garments, or baptism] of regeneration [Greek, paliggenesia, spiritual rebirth, renovation, or Messianic restoration], and renewing of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:5). The new Christian is washed and cleansed through the rebirth, or second birth, described here as regeneration. Another area that will be transformed and made new is our mind, or understanding. As the Holy Spirit works within us, we are to be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed [Greek,metamorphoo, to transform literally or figuratively, change, or transfigure] by the renewing [Greek, anakainosis, renovation] of your mind [Greek, nous, intellect, human mind, feeling, thought, or will], that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2). Paul also wrote the Corinthian believers, though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16), and instructed the church in Colossae to put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him (Colossians 3:10). The believer in Christ is destined to become more and more like Christ, moment by moment, and day by day. This is our Father's will, and His way.
 
CHARACTERISTICS OF REGENERATION
 
Christ Himself taught that in order to see the Kingdom, the believer in Christ must be born again, or, that is, have a second birth. So, what are some of the characteristics of becoming a new creature, of being born again, of being regenerated? What things does the regenerated individual no longer do, or not do? How has he or she changed, and what are his new priorities? What is the evidence of this change? The scriptures provide us with many examples.
 
First of all, as Paul teaches, this new or second birth is not physical in nature, but Spiritual. As Paul taught, that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:46), while Jesus clarified for us, That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (John 3:6). The born again person should have a change of focus, and not be overly concerned with worldly anxieties, but focused rather on God the Father, Christ the Son, the righteousness of God, and the Kingdom of God. As Jesus taught His own disciples, Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (Matthew 6:31-34). The regenerated individual will also place Jesus Christ ahead of family and friends, and will value Him, His love, and His will above all else. Jesus teaches us,If any man come to me, and hate [Greek, miseo, to detest more, or to love less] not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:26). In this context, the word hate is a very weak translation, and does not refer to an intense hostility and aversion usually derived from fear, anger, or a sense of injury, but more accurately means to love less than. If we desire to be a disciple of Christ, we must and will love Jesus more than all else.
 
Paul wrote the Philippian church, what things were gain [Greek, kerdos, refers to pecuniary or general gain, value, or lucre] to me, thoseI counted loss [Greek, zemia, the idea of violence, detriment, loss, or damage] for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ (Philippians 3:7-8). As with Paul, the regenerated believer will consider all things of worldly value and gain in this life as nothing more than damage and loss in comparison to having the far greater value of having a personal relationship with Christ Jesus. Also, the man who is born again has the potential and opportunity to be a vessel of honor used by God, and prepared for every good work. Paul wrote Timothy, in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work (2 Timothy 2:20-21).
 
Referring to the born again individual, Paul clearly taught the church in Colossae, If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1), and in his letter to Timothy, Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation [Greek, themelios, something put down, a substruction of a building, or to commit or ordain] against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life (1 Timothy 6:17-19). The regenerated individual will lay up for themselves a good foundation of faith and obedience resulting in and followed by eternal life. Additionally, the regenerated inidividual should certainly be willing to suffer in the flesh, as Christ did, to no longer live as we did in the past, to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. Peter teaches us, Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries (1 Peter 4:1-3).
 
As we should expect, the born again, regenerated, changed individual, shall prioritize and follow the two greatest commandments given by Christ. He or she shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength, and love thy neighbor as you love thyself (Mark 19:29-31). Paul also teaches us that the regenerated individual is to put on the new man, which after God iscreated in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24), as we were designed and intended to do, according to God's purpose and will. The regenerated is to love and live in righteousness and true holiness. He who experiences being born again of the Spirit shall follow, with determination and to the best of their ability, the guidance and will of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul instructed the church in Galatia, This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot [any longer] do the things that ye would [desired to do] (Galatians 5:16-17).
 
Paul told the Galatian believers that when the nonbeliever comes to faith in Jesus Christ, Christ personally comes to live in the believer: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, butChrist liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20). The presence of Christ in the transformed is eternal, for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5). As we mentioned, regeneration is a birth given from the heavens, a new birth granted only from God Himself. It is a Divine action, and a Spiritual moving of God, that follows the physical birth. It is a second birth or new birth originating from God the Father and facilitated by the Holy Spirit. The transformation performed by the Spirit is radical in nature, and brings about a complete change from the old you to a new you. A work of God and His Holy Spirit, the new man is in Christ, is a new creature, old things have passed away, all things are new, and all things are now of God (2 Cor 5-17-18). As Christ teaches, No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw [Greek, helko, to drag literally or figuratively] him: and I will raise him up at the last day (John 6:44). Being born again is a work that begins with our heavenly Father. Without His efforts, the old remains old. Regarding the new birth, our attitudes and behaviors should be different, especially regarding willful sin: Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother (1 John 3:9-10).
 
In John we read, There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water [physical] and of the Spirit [Spiritual], he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh [human nature, bodily, carnal, physical] is flesh; and that which is born of the [Holy] Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit (John 3:1-8). Rebirth by the Spirit is a second birth into new life in Jesus Christ, but as John informs us, we cannot fully understand how the Holy Spirit regenerates us and how this work is manifested. Just as we do not see the wind, but see the results of the wind, regenration is a work of the Holy Spirit that we can see the results and fruit of, but not understand the reason or process. Paul adds, you hat he quickened [enlivened], who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience (Ephesians 2:1-2).
 
Of most importance, the regenerated believer in Christ should always seek God, Christ, the Kingdom, and righteousness first. As Jesus, Himself, taught, seek [Greek, zeteo, to worship God, desire, enquire, seek after or for] ye first [Greek, proton, firstly in time, place order, or importance, before all, at the beginning, or chiefly] the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33). Additionally, the new creature in Christ who has expeienced the second birth shall also submit not just to God, but to man as well. Peter teaches us, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7), and Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme (1 Peter 2:13). Because we are a new creation, we should present our bodies a living sacrifice [Greek, thusia, the act or victim of sacrifice, literally or figuratively, or to immolate], holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable [Greek, logikos, rational, or logical]service [ministration] (Romans 12:1). The new creature shall also expect to be filled with all the fulness of God (Ephesians 3:19).
 
As Paul taught, when we become a new person, we are to no longer pursue our carnal minds and flesh, but seek and respond to the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit: For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:5-8). Part of God's regeneration of the beliver in Christ is that God shall also put His laws into our hearts and minds. The author of Hebrews clarifies, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more (Hebrews 10:16-17). Neither shall the regenerated allow sin to rule, or dominate, within their lives. Paul instructed the church in Rome with these words:Let not sin therefore reign [Greek, basileuo, to rule literally or figuratively, have a foundation of power, be sovereign, or to be king] in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace (Romans 6:12-14).
 
The regenerated should also walk [go, be preoccupied with, tread around, behave, or deport oneself] worthy of the vocation [invitation] wherewith ye are called (Ephesians 4:1), and henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart (Ephesians 4:17-18). Paul also exhorted the Colossian church how to live when he wrote them, walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light (Colossians 1:10-12). The desired life of the regenerate should include good works, increasing in knowledge of God, being strengthened via the power of the Holy Spirit, patient, longsuffering, and giving thanks.
 
The last characteristic we will mention is that the regenerated should strive to walk according to the commandments of God. As the apostle John wrote, hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk [function, or live], even as he walked (1 John 2:3-6).
 
THE FRUIT OF BECOMING A NEW CREATURE
 
Regeneration, being reborn of the Spirit, the new birth, being renewed, growing in the Lord, and becoming a new creature in Christ Jesus produces many outcomes, results, or what we might refer to as fruit. So, what are some of the fruits resulting from the rebirth or renewal of the believer in Christ? There are so many fruits that not all can be identified or listed here, but let us list a few important ones.
 
First of all, the regenerated or reborn believers in Christ will abandon the unimportant, pointless and vain aspects of life, particularly, as Paul mentioned, the tendency to abandon our faith in Christ and return to the bondage of works of the Jewish law in our pursuit of righteousness and eternal life. Paul wrote, But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak [strengthless, feeble, impotent, pointless, a vanity, or full of weakness] and beggarly [public mendicancy, distressed, beggarly, or poor] elements [something orderly in arrangement, fundamental, or principal], whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage [to keeping the law]? (Galatians 4:9). The regeneration of the believer who has come to faith in Christ will be brought into the eternal contact, relationship, and presence of God the Father. We will simply be brought to God: For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened [Greek, zoopoieo, to vitalize, make alive, or be given life] by the Spirit (1 Peter 3:18).
 
The newly created believer in Christ can and will deny things of the world and escape the corrupting influence that is in the world, and, rather, partake of the divine nature. The apostle Peter wrote, Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine [Greek, theios, godlike, divine, like the Godhead] nature, having escaped the corruption [Greek,phthora, decay, ruin literally or figuratively, destruction, or perishing] that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:4). The believer will depart from worldly corruption and live in a divine, Godlike, or Godly manner.
 
The transformed believer in Christ should no longer be in bondage to and a servant to sin, but be found living a new life in Christ. As Paul also explains to the church in Rome, he or she who is baptised into Jesus Christ is also baptised into His death, and therefore buried with Him. Because we are buried with Him, as Christ was raised from the dead, we also should be physically and spiritually raised from the dead; we should likewise walk in new life, that is, in ways that are in conrast to our old life and ways. So to speak, our old life is now crucified or killed, as was Christ's. Paul wrote, Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even sowe also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve [Greek, douleuo, to be a slave to literally or figuratively, be in bondage to, or perform service to]sin (Romans 6:3-6).
 
As we are renewed, our outlook changes: we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). In renewal, we who believe in Christ are to no longer forcus on the seen, temporal things in life, but on the unseen and eternal aspects of life.Furthermore, our new man will [or should] no longer focus on pleasing others, but labor that we may be accepted of Him (2 Corinthians 5:9). As Paul put it, our priority now is on not pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts (1 Thessalonians 2:4). Paul succintly summarizes the nature of the human spirit which has been given new life - we no longer live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again (2 Corinthians 5:15).
 
Again, Paul reminded the church in Ephesus of their calling to perform good works. Paul wrote, For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). The good works we perform are clear evidence of our renewal as saints. The renewed should shall also be blessed with all spiritual blessings, predestined unto the adoption of children of God, and have redemption through His blood. As Paul wrote, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:3-7). Because God the Father made Christ to be sin for us, the regenerated shall also inherit the righteousness of God: For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Corinthians 5:21).
 
Again, Paul wrote the church in Rome, Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin (Romans 6:4-6).
 
Because of God's grace, the regenerated believer in Christ will not be condemned by God, but inherit the greatest gift of all - eternal life. Jesus said, all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life (John 5:23-24). The regenrated shall know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us (Ephesians 3:19-20). The regerated shall also love Christ and be filled with God, according to the explosive power of the Holy Spirit who works in us. The regenerated shall also experience a thus far hidden mystery, and a magnificent change. Paul described this change to the Corinthian believers. Paul wrote the Corinthian church [and all believers], Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep [physically die], but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:51-58). Our death shall be swallowed by the victory of eternal life through the ministry of Christ and our faith in Him. Indeed, as Christ promised, the regenerated born again believer shall not be condemned, but immediately pass from physical death to eternal life in Christ: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life (John 5:24).
 
Eventually, according to His will and timing, God the Father shall bring about one of His biggest changes of all - He will create a new heaven and new earth. Isaiah prophesied these words of the Lord: For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind (Isaiah 65:17). The apostle Peter also teaches us, … the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Neverthelesswe, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness (2 Peter 3:10-13). Paul summarizes and simplifies the point of this article with these words:: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:1-17).  AMEN.




 
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THE CHRISTIAN  HERALD
                    A Judeo-Christian Bible Study
"The command has been to 'go' but we have stayed — in body, gifts, prayer and influence. He has asked us to be witnesses unto the uttermost parts of the earth ... but 99% of Christians have kept puttering around in the homeland.” Robert Savage, Latin American Missionary
 
"And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these"
(Mark 12:29-31).
 
"What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth”
(Psalms 34:12-16).
 
"Christ hath redeemed
us from the curse of the law, being made a curse
for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith”
(Galatians 3:13-14).
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