Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.1
In Christ by grace our past is erased and we morphed into something entirely new. Just like brass is an alloy of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn)2; yet reversing the process is near to impossible. In biology we learn how the butterflies and moths go through metamorphosis—from caterpillar, to a cocoon, and finally a winged insect. It comes out of the cocoon an entirely new creature.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,3 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.4 In the same way we also, when we were children were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.5
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.6
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some who do not believe . . . And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”7
Yet in a moment of weakness, for lack of understanding and revelation, Peter tried to go back to fishing, taking the others with him; but they caught no fish.8 We have a propensity to seek comfort and ease. We slacken and look back. Learn the lesson from Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot’s wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt.9 Whenever conflicting thoughts enter your mind, take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.10 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.11
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.12 There shall be moments that God commands something we may not understand, obey anyway; insight and understanding will follow. Be like Isaiah, hearing the voice of God declared, “Here I am! Send me.”13
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.14 Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great!15
Notes:
1. 2 Corinthians 5:17
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brass
3. Ephesians 1:7
4. Ezekiel 36:25-27
5. Galatians 4:3-7
6. Galatians 5:1
7. John 6:63-69
8. John 21:3
9. Genesis 19:23-26
10. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
11. James 4:7-8
12. Luke 22:31
13. Isaiah 6:8
14. John 4:23-24
15. Psalm 104:1
