CONCLUSIONS CONCERNING CHRISTIANS (part 3)

“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 5:17) . 

Introduction:  This is one of the most important verses in the Bible to show the changes that take place when a sinner becomes a Christian.  All Christians are in Christ – 2 Cor. 5:17a, All Christians are new Creatures – 2 Cor. 5:17b, All Christians have new Customs – 2 Cor. 5:17c. I have used these three principles throughout my ministry to clarify what it means to be a Christian. 

When I was eighteen years old I attended a church service for the first time. A friend invited me to an old-fashioned revival meeting, and I went every night for a whole week.  On the first night after the service, two young people tactfully showed me from the Bible I was lost and that if I were to die, I would go to hell. Since my mother had taught me that the Bible was true, I believed them. On the 5th day, way out on the ranch where no one could see me, I actually shed tears about what a bad sinner I was. (From the time  I was small, my dad never allowed us boys to cry.)  On the sixth night of the meetings I committed my life to Christ.  That night, no longer worried about going to hell, I slept like a baby. The next morning, I felt strangely different.  God had changed my life while I was sleeping. The Lord made me a new creature, though I didn’t know the phrase “new creature” was even mentioned in the Bible. My way of life was completely changed. Before that I had spent all my free time at the saloon with my friends, but I never went back. (The saloon was like a recreation hall, not only a place to drink, gamble, and dance, but also to play pool, play cards, and just generally “hang out.”) The next day, I wanted to go back to church, but since the special meetings had ended, there were no services until Sunday.

III.  ALL CHRISTIANS HAVE NEW CUSTOMS – II Cor. 5:17c

“Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (5:17c).

(Rom 6:4–6) “⁴ 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.  ⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: ⁶Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”

(Rom 7:6)  “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.”

Romans 8:5-13 is a good portion of Scripture to explain the Christian’s battle for the body, which was discussed in part II. “⁵For 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. ⁶For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ⁸So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. ⁹But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. ¹⁰And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. ¹²Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. ¹³For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live”  (Rom 5:8-13).

About 30 years ago, I was in an auto parts store waiting to get parts to take back to Guadalajara, where we were living at the time. There were about ten of us sitting on those round stools at the counter and a few more standing behind us, waiting our turn to get help. I noticed that the man sitting next to be was very figgety as he twisted back and forth on the round stool. Suddenly, he turned to me and said, “Brother! Brother! Do you have the Spirit?” Now, I appreciated the concern this gentleman had for me, but ccording to Romans 8:9, that was not a good question. Can you explain why? 

(Phil 3:7–9)  “⁷But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. ⁸Yea 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,  ⁹And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”  (cf. I Cor. 1:30).

(Col 3:1–10) “¹If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. ²Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.   ³For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  ⁴When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.  ⁵Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: ⁶For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: ⁷In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. ⁸But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. ⁹Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; ¹⁰And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” (cf. Heb 8:9-13).

(1 Pet 4:1–6) “¹Forasmuch 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; ²That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. ³For 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: ⁴Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: ⁵Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. ⁶For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.”  

“Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them” is a strange statement to many people.  When I was in the military in Europe, I was stationed on a base with about 10,000 soldiers. Most considered themselves to be Christians, but only about 80 attended the chapel.  I didn’t think they  had Christian customs. As a new Christian, I couldn’t understand why with 10,000 soldiers on the base, they had built the chapel to hold only about 400.   

When I gave my life to Christ, my friends thought it was strange that I didn’t hang out with them at the saloon any more. They said if I wasn’t careful I’d become a fanatic!  One said, “You are liable to end up being a preacher!” I thank God that for the past 65 years I’ve enjoyed being a friend and follower of the Lord.

CONCLUSIONS CONCERNING CHRISTIANS (part 2)

“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 5:17)

Introduction:  This is one of the most important verses in the Bible to show the changes that take place when a sinner becomes a Christian.  All Christians are in Christ – II Cor. 5:17a, All Christians are new Creatures – II Cor. 5:17b, All Christians have new Customs – II Cor. 5:17c.

The three principles which I mentioned above are what I have used to clarify Scriptural salvation.  Last week we looked at the first principle,  ALL CHRISTIANS ARE IN CHRIST – II Corinthians 5:17a, and at the meaning of the term “in Christ.”   This week we will talk about the second principle.

II.  ALL CHRISTIANS ARE NEW CREATURES – II Cor. 5:17b

“He is a new creature” (5;17b). 

All Christians are new creatures.  This statement is not based on any religious philosophy, but rather, God says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he  IS  a new creature” (5:17b).  At the moment the sinner  is saved,  he or she becomes a new creation of God.  The person is recreated in Christ.  The Christian is never more spiritual, never more pure, and never more holy than at the moment of his spiritual birth.  (cf. John 3:7)  Though he is spiritually pure at the point of pardon, the rest of his life he will mature in sanctification.  He will not be sinless, but he will desire not  to sin. 

Several years ago I was traveling with two well-known Christians who were good theologians.  I was sitting in the back seat of the car.  They were talking about the results of different evangelistic campaigns and the fact that so few “converts” became faithful members of a local church.  They said that these “converts” were new creatures in Christ.  Then about an hour later, they started talking about winning children to Christ.  One of the Christians was an autority on the evangelism of children, and he indicated that you couldn’t expect a young person to become a new creature.  That was shocking to me, so I asked, “Only adults become new creatures when they are saved?”  There was silence in the front seat as the car continued down the highway.  Finally, one said, “You know, that is a good question because every saved person is a new creature, whether young or old.”  A child will still be a child.  He will not immediately become a mature Christian any more than an adult will, but his life will show a new desire to do right and to please God.

The following Scriptures speak of the fact that Christians are new creatures (or new creations).

(Gal 6:15)  “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.”

(Eph 2:10)  “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus [made new creatures] unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” [!!!]

(Eph 4:24)  “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

(Col 3:10)  “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him.” (cf.Rom.12:1-2)

(Eph 2:15)  “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.” (This probably refers to the universal church.  It is an example of what will be fulfilled during the millenium, but the church gets to experience some of the blessings NOW in a small way.)

On the day of Pentecost  in  Acts 2:14-20, Peter tells what the new covenant in the millennium will be, but the church gets a foretaste: “¹⁴But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: ¹⁵  For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. ¹⁶  But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; ¹⁷  And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: ¹⁸  And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: ¹⁹  And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: ²⁰  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come”  (Note that he quotes Joel 2:28-32.)

(Ezek 11:19) “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh.”

(Ezek 18:31) “Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”

(Ezek 36:26) “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.”

The Lord commissioned the Apostle John to write the Gospel of John for the specific purpose of clarifying what it means to be saved.  John said in John 20:31: “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have [eternal] life through his name.”  The first example of personal evangelism that John uses is Jesus teaching the famous Pharisee Nicodemus.

In John 3:3–5,  ³Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. ⁴Nicodemus 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? ⁵Jesus 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.

When a person is born of the water and of the Spirit, he becomes a new creature.  He is born again into the family of God: The Apostle Peter writes: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His [the Father’s] abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”  (1 Pet1:3).  

James, the half brother of the Lord Jesus, shows that we are born again and become new creatures when he says: “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures”  (James 1:18) . 

Many believe that when John speaks of being born of water in John 3:3-5 (quoted above), he is referring to the cleansing effect of the Word as it is used by the Holy Spirit to create the new birth.  Here are some reasons: 

(1 Pet 1:23) “ Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”

(Jn 15:3) “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”

(Eph 5:26)  “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.”

(Jn 17:17)  “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

(1 Cor 6:11)  “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (cf. Titus 2:14; Ps 19:9; 119:9-11) 

When a person becomes a Christian, as we have discussed, he becomes a new creation; he is recreated.  The whole person--his intellect, emotions and will-- are transformed.  At this point, the Christian is a new person, BUT he is still living in the old body that is slowly decaying and dying.  So there will be a battle over the body until the body dies or is transformed at the rapture or the return of Christ. 

The teaching in Luke 9:23 helps me understand the process of becoming a new creature:  “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me”

1) To follow Christ there must be self dethronement– Lk 9:23a

“If any man will come after me” (9:23a).

2) To follow Christ there must be self denial– Lk 9:23b

“Let him deny himself” (9:23b).

3) To follow Christ there must be self discipline– Lk 9:23c

“And take up his cross daily, and follow me” (9:23c).

The battle for the body can only be won as the Christian follows the will of God  according to the Word of God.  Here are some Scriptures that may apply:

(2 Tim 1:7) “ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind [self-control – RSV].”

(1 Cor 10:13)  “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

(2 Cor 10:5) “ Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

(Pro 16:3)  “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. “

This is the second part of a message from 2 Corinthians 5:17, giving principles I have used In my years of ministry.  I plan to publish the third part next Tuesday.  I would appreciate any constructive criticism or comments. 

CONCLUSIONS CONCERNING CHRISTIANS (PART 1)

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 5:17)  

Introduction:  This is one of the most important verses in the Bible to show the changes that take place when a sinner becomes a Christian.  All Christians are in Christ – II Cor. 5:17a, All Christians are new Creatures – II Cor. 5:17b, All Christians have new Customs – II Cor. 5:17c.

During the last fifty years or so many Christian workers have asked my opinion about the salvation of some particular person.  A college president even sent a Bible College student to attend our church to see if we could clarify the issue of salvation in his mind.  The young man vehemently insisted he was sure of his salvation, but everything about his life style caused all who knew him to doubt that he had been born again.

The three principles which I mentioned above are what I have used to clarify what it means to be converted.  (cf. Ps. 19:7; Mt. 18:3; Acts 3:19; James 5:19-20)  The first is “All Christians are in Christ.”   I want a person to clearly understand what the precious phrase “in Christ” really means in the Scriptures. 

   I. ALL CHRISTIANS ARE IN CHRIST – II Corinthians 5:17a

“Therefore if any man be in Christ” (5:17a).

(Rom 8:1) “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

(Rom 8:2) “ For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

(1 Cor 1:30)  “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.”

(Gal 3:28)  “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

(Gal 5:6)  “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”

(Gal 6:1)  “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.”

(Col 1 :28)  “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

(Eph 1:3–4) “ ³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: “  ⁴According 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.”

       (2 Tim 2:10)  “Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the              salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”

(Col 2:6–7)  “⁶As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: ⁷ Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

(1 Jn 2:5)  “But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”

(1 Jn 2:15)  “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

 (1 Jn 2:27)  “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”

(1 Jn 3:5-6)  “⁵And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. ⁶Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not [does not practice sin (cf. I Jn 3:9 ESV)]: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.”

(1 Jn 3:9)  “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin [does not practice sin]; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” (cf. I Jn 3:9 ESV)

(1 Jn 3:24)  “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”

(1 Jn 4:13-16)  “¹³Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. ¹⁵Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. ¹⁶And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

(1 Jn 5:14)  “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.”

The Apostle Paul often uses the term “in Christ” to identify his coworkers and other Christians to whom he writes:

(Eph 1:1)  “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.”

(Phil 1:1)  “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.”

(Phil 4:21) “Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.”

(Col 1:2)  “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

(Phil 1:23)  “There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus.”

(Rom 16:3) “Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus.”

(Rom 16:7)  “Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.”

(Rom 16:8)  “Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.”

(Rom 16:11)  “Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. “

(Rom 16:12)  “Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.”

Let me explain what “in Christ” means from another angle. Some have said that you can’t explain the meaning of”in Christ” without teaching on inness.  So let us turn to 2 Corinthians 13:5: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”  Notice the use of the phrases “in Christ” and “Jesus Christ in you.”  This is what some scholars refer to as the teaching on inness.  We could give this a separate title: THE CHRISTIAN IS IN CHRIST.

(1) Being “in Christ” means being “in the faith” – 2 Cor 13:5a

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith” (13:5a).

A Christian follows the fundamentals of the faith—follows the teaching of Scripture.

(2) Being “in Christ” means having forgiveness  - 2 Cor 13:5b

“Prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (13:5b).   (A reprobate does not have forgiveness, but the redeemed have forgivemess.)

(Ti 1:16)  “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”

(3) Being “in Christ” means being in the fellowship – 2 Cor 13:5c

“In Christ” means the person has communion with Christ.  (cf. I Jn 1:3)  The same Christian “in Christ” congregates with other Christians.  (cf. Heb 10:25)

“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth”  

(1 John 1:6).

Conclusion: “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27).  

In my years of ministry I have used the principles I am giving in these three messages.  I would appreciate any constructive criticism or comments.