BB- 2 A New Creature

Lesson #2

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Christianity is more than just making a decision to turn over a new leaf.

Our prison system attempts to change an individual’s habits and mind set so they can become a part of society. This is what our present society calls “being rehabilitated.” Sometimes it works and we are not against anyone who decides to walk and live a lifestyle that is different and good.

Christianity, though, is more than rehabilitation. Becoming a Christian is much more than simply a change in lifestyle. Though one’s life will surely change, that change will come from a heart that God transforms when He enters that life to dwell.

Salvation is a free gift.

That gift is accepted in a moment, but takes a lifetime to live out. It does require making a decision, but that decision is allowing God to control our lives. When we believe with all our heart (not our mind) that Jesus is God’s son, a divine power, in fact the Holy Spirit Himself creates a miracle in our heart that God’s Word calls “a new creation.”

THIS MIRACLE IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE JESUS, WHO LIVED A SINLESS AND PERFECT LIFE HERE ON EARTH, WAS THE PERFECT SACRIFICE FOR OUR SINS.

His death was a blood sacrifice, satisfying the law of heaven that required all men face a death penalty for sins they commit. Since the life of an earthly man was not an acceptable sacrifice, Jesus, died on mankind’s behalf.

THAT SACRIFICE WAS COMPLETED WHEN JESUS, ON CROSS, SAID,

John 19:30

“it is finished.”

JESUS’ DEATH AND SHED BLOOD HAS ATONED FOR YOUR SINS AND MINE.

Becoming a Christian requires believing [really knowing] that Jesus Christ is alive and living a new life, totally overcoming the sin which binds humankind today.

OUR BELIEF IN THIS WORK OF GOD WILL RESULT IN A VERY SPECIAL HAPPENING IN OUR LIFE.

Romans 8:11

that very same power that “raised Jesus from the dead” to also inhabit our mortal bodies giving us a power to live a life that is holy and pleasing to God.

John 19:30 (NKJV)

30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Romans 8:11 (NKJV)

11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

ALL MEN ARE SINNERS.

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

PROPER ACTIONS ARE SOMETHING WE MUST ALL STRIVE TO PRODUCE, BUT GOOD DEEDS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE TO GOD FOR SALVATION.

In some cases, we can change our behavior and become better husbands, fathers, and citizens by our own willpower, but God says our right actions (self-righteousness) are like filthy rags as they relate to God’s righteousness.

Isaiah 64:6 (NKJV)

6 But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousness are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.

EVERY MAN BORN OF MAN AND WOMAN SINCE ADAM AND EVE HAS A NATURE TO SIN.

Psalms 14:1-4 (NKJV)

1 The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 3 They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one. 4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And do not call on the Lord?

Mark 7:21-23

21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22 deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. 23 "All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man."

WE HAD A MIND OF OUR OWN, WE FOLLOWED OUR OWN WILL, AND WE ACTED AS GODS OF OUR LIVES.

Isaiah 53:6

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL HAS HAPPENED TO YOU.

John 3:1-10 (NKJV)

1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." 9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?" 10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Our Old Nature

YOU WERE DEAD.

Ephesians 2:1

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,

Romans 6:23

 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

YOU WERE DEFILED.

Titus 1:15

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.

YOU WERE ENSLAVED.

John 8:34

Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.

Titus 3:3

For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

YOU WERE BLINDED.

2 Corinthians. 4:4

whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of The glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

YOU WERE UNDER JUDGMENT.

Ephesians 2:3

among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, Fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

YOU WERE CUT OFF.

Ephesians 2:12-13

that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Our New Nature in Jesus

NOW YOU ARE FORGIVEN.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Isaiah 43:25

"I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.

Romans 8:2

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:33-34

Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

NOW YOU ARE JUSTIFIED.

Romans 3:24

being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)

21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

NOW YOU ARE CLEANSED.

1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

NOW YOU ARE RECONCILED.

2 Corinthians 5:18 (NKJV)

18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
· Now you are in God’s family.

Ephesians 1:5 (NKJV)

5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

Matthew 12:48-50 (NKJV)

48 But He answered and said to the one who told Him, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" 49 And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."

Ephesians 3:14-15 (NKJV)

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

Romans 2:28-29 (NKJV)

28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

NOW YOU ARE BOUND FOR HEAVEN.

John 14:2-3

In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

1 Corinthians 2:9

But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him

The New You

NOW YOU ARE A NEW CREATURE.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

NOW YOU ARE BORN AGAIN.

John 3:16

 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:3

Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."