WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A NEW CREATURE

August 22, 2025

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 
 Let’s look at the itemization of what happens when a person receives Jesus.
 
1. NEW STANDING: We become the righteousness of God. Jesus – who never sinned – became sin for us so we might become righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21). There was a trade. Jesus left heaven, was born as a human, fulfilled the Hebrew prophecies, humbled Himself, and served others.
 
2. NEW FAMILY: We become God’s children. Jesus is available to all. According to John 1:12, whoever receives Him gains the right to become children of God. This is also described as a “new birth” and that we become “new creatures.” Bottom line, we were dead in our trespasses, but because of God’s mercy and love, when we call on Jesus, repent, surrender, and affirm His Lordship, we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).
 
3. NEW UNDERSTANDING: We receive revelation. Jesus asked the question, who do men say that I am? Peter declared, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you…for flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father in heaven” (Matthew 16:15-17). Our understanding of Jesus is not just based on philosophy, observation, book learning, or sensory input – it is revelation. God is revealing mysteries to us (Daniel 2:28-29). When we seek, we will find (Matthew 7:7).

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
 
4. NEW NATURE: We bear fruit. This verse itemizes the nine fruit of the recreated human spirit. As we walk out these characteristics that have been embedded in us through the new birth and we draw from them, we will gain ground in maturity. Take your Bible and read Galatians 5, which shows the contrast of the deeds of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit.  If you want to hear me teach more on the fruit of the Spirit, go to this playlist here where I am teaching on all nine of them!

DEFINITION: rev·​e·​la·​tion, noun
An act of revealing or communicating divine truth. Something that God reveals to humans. It is an act of revealing to view or making known.

SAY THIS OUT LOUD:
I thank you, God, that I am a new creature – old things have passed away and new things have come. I am seeking You and Your plans, and I know I will find. Please reveal mysteries to me, in Jesus’ Name, amen.

^{Copyright © 2025 St. Louis Family Church, All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. “Revelation, N.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, 2025, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revelation.}