What it means to be a.....
New Creation in Christ!
                                                                                   By Pastor F. M. Riley
                                                                                   March 15, 2018
     "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [creation]:  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new," 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Introduction
     How many of our readers take God's Word at face value, for what it actually and literally says, rather than trying to explain away those Scriptures which one doesn't easily understand?  I remind our readers that 2 Timothy 2:15 is still in the Bible, and correct understanding of God's Word comes through serious STUDY of the Word, through earnest and sincere prayer, and through seeking and following the leadership of the Holy Spirit of God as you study the Word, John 16:12-14.  
     In this Bible study I propose to present a subject which is rarely dealt with by most preachers and Bible teachers, yet it is one of the most comforting and glorious truths in God's Word.  It will be up to our readers to decide for themselves if the subject, and my effort in dealing with it have been worthwhile.  
 Defining A New Creation  
     Our text Scripture for this Bible study clearly states that any person who receives Christ as their own personal Savior, is "in Christ" and is "a new creature" [creation]. The Greek word translated as "creature" in this Scripture is the word, "ktisois."  This Greek word literally means, "creation; created being; created thing."  See Strong's No. 2937.   In view of the meaning of this Greek word, this inspired statement of Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:7 should be received as literal truth.  Every genuine New Covenant believer, at the time they received Christ as their Savior,  became  "a new creation" in Christ.   
     But it is obvious that our bodies did not visibly change at that time, so in reference to this subject the "new creation"  must begin with the "inner man" or soul.  
     We believers are called a "new creation" because our first creation occurred in our mother's womb at the time of conception, Psalm 139:13.  Our first creation was our natural birth; whereas the "new creation" is a spiritual birth, 1 Corinthians 15:45-50.     
     But what does this really mean?  What sort of "new creation" are we, who have believed in and received Christ?   I'm so glad you asked!  
     A New Species of Mankind
     The answer to this question is simple.  The Lord Jesus, the Creator of all things [John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:12-20] is, during this present Dispensation of Grace, creating an entirely new race or species of mankind, James 1:18. The Lord created Adam and Eve as the beginning of the human race, and yet Adam made a deliberate choice to disobey the Lord, Genesis 1:26-30; 2:15-24; 3:1-6.  Some readers may have never previously studied this truth, so let's just go to God's inspired Word for Scriptural proof.     
     In the Epistle of James, who was a disciple of Christ and a New Covenant believer, we read, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.  
     Of His own will begat [conceived] He us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind [distinct species] of firstfruits of His creatures," James 1:17-18.
     What this Scripture says is that New Covenant believers have been "begotten of God" [conceived; begotten of one's self], just as a child is conceived in the womb of it's mother by it's daddy, 1 Peter 1:3.  Therefore we New Covenant believers are  "born of God," and are to live spiritually as "a kind of firstfruits;" a new species or race of mankind.  Stated plainly, in the process of the "new birth,"  the Lord God is creating an entirely new race or species of mankind, for a special purpose.   We will look at the purpose for this new species of mankind a little later in this study.  Right now, let's notice the description given in the inspired Word to this new species of mankind.  .
A New Creation in Christ
      If the reader is a true believer in our Lord Jesus Christ, pay careful attention to the descriptions which follow.
     [1]    A Second or New Birth.......  
     When one receives the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, they are instantly "born again," John 3:3-7. A new spiritual birth occurs, in which the soul or "inner man" of the true believer is  born of the Holy Spirit of God, Ephesians 3:16.   Prior to receiving Christ as one's personal Savior, the soul in unbelieving mankind is dead.  When Adam disobeyed God, spiritual death passed upon him, just as the Lord God had warned him that it would, Genesis 2:17.  Then Adam, through the birth process, subsequently "passed" his spiritual death on to all of mankind, Romans 5:12.  
     This does not mean that there was not life in Adam's fleshly body, giving him the ability to continue to live.  Rather, it means that Adam's soul became "dead in trespasses and sins," Ephesians 2:1.  Not physically dead, but rather spiritually dead.  
     All of our readers who are adults have likely seen or even experienced the birth of a child, so we know that "the first birth" is a birth of the flesh, and is "corruptible."   But the Lord Jesus Himself clearly stated that those who choose to place their faith in Him as their Savior "must"  have a second birth, which is a spiritual birth, and gives to the true believer an "incorruptible" soul,   John 3:7; Acts 4:12; 1 Peter 1:23.   Yes, the true believer's old "outer man" is still capable of sinning in the flesh, but our "inner man" has been made "incorruptible," and does not, and cannot, sin!   Read it for yourself, "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," 1 John 3:9.  This is speaking of the soul; it is not speaking of our present fleshly body.   
     Then being born of the Spirit of God, this "new birth" transforms the true believer into a "son of God," Romans 8:16; 8:19.  When a true believer is "born of the Spirit," they also become a member of "the family of God," and are made "partakers of the Divine nature," Ephesians 3:14-15; 2 Peter 1:1-4.   
     When we receive Christ as our Savior, outwardly the appearance of our present body doesn't  change much at all, but inwardly our soul or "inner man" has experienced  great changes.  However, these "changes"
are not presently visible; not even to us, or to others around us, and will only become visible, when the Lord Jesus comes for us, and we receive our new body, Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:1-3.  It will be at that time when our body is "changed" by the Lord Jesus to conform to what our soul or "inner man" already looks like in the sight of God, 1 Corinthians 15:47-54. Glory!  Glory!  Glory!  
     And these changes in the believer's body will involve.......
     [1]   A Change in gender and race.....
     In our bodies of flesh every person on this earth is either male or female. Likewise every person on the earth today has the characteristics of some distinct race of people into which they were born, and from which they descended.  But this is not true of the soul or "inner man," which has been "born of the Spirit," John 3:3-8.  
      I want to impress upon our readers that our new body will be just as real as our present body.  In our new body, we will not need to be either male nor female, because in being made "a new creation in Christ,"  we are not created for the purpose of sexual procreation.  So genitals, which today clearly identify us as men or women,  will no longer be needed.  Keep in mind that we believers are being "created in Christ" as a whole new special race of people for a special purpose.              
     The inspired Word explicitly says of  those who have been "born again," "For as many of you as have been baptized [immersed] into Christ have put on Christ.  
     There is neither Jew nor Greek [no racial identity], there is neither male nor female: [no sexual gender] for ye are all one in Christ Jesus," [a new distinct species] Galatians 3:27-28.  It is this same image which we believers will receive, when we receive  our new body at the coming of the Lord Jesus.  
     In the future "ages to come," this state of being will forever abolish any reason for jealousy and enmity  over the supposed "superiority" of being a male or a female.  Likewise, it will forever abolish all arguments about the "superiority" of one race of people being "superior" to all other races.  
     Our readers should recall that Adolph Hitler came to power claiming that the Aryan or Indo-European peoples were "superior" to all other races on the earth, and therefore should rule the world.  No such lies or arguments will ever be put forth in the future "ages to come," for through the "new birth" the Lord God is creating a special people for Himself right now.  And this brings up the purpose for which a special species of mankind is being created......
The Lord's Incorruptible  Government
     All a true believer has to do today is take a long, hard, honest, look at the human governments who have ruled the nations throughout the history of mankind.   Those who do will easily see that human government, living  as a part of fallen mankind, has been, and still is today, the "achilles heel" of human civilization.  There has never been a government over any nation in human history, which did not ultimately become corrupt, despotic, oppressive, and tyrannical.  And in coming into such a state of  corruption, the whole nation and people then came under the judgment of our righteous God, and ultimately ceased to exist.   This has been repeated so many times in human history, that it is anything but laughable.  As nations are destroyed by their own government's lusts for power and wealth, the families and homes in those nations are also destroyed, and the people have to flee to other countries as refugees.   
      Folks, it is glaringly obvious from the Book of Genesis, that the foundation upon which the Lord God built human civilization was the family and home.  Destroy this foundation, and mankind has nothing left but chaos and ruin, heartbreak and tears, sin and wickedness.  
     So, one of the reasons the Lord God came into the world some 2,000 years ago, was to redesign human government.  Oh yes, there is a better form of government than any government which presently exists on the earth today.  The Lord God, in instituting the "new birth" at His first coming, the Lord has been preparing a new government to rule over mankind on the earth during His soon coming Millennial Kingdom.  
     How was this to be accomplished?  Through requiring that mankind experience a "new birth," John 3:1-7.  In the process of being "born again," the "sin nature" received from Adam, is limited to the flesh.  The "inner man" or soul of the true believer is made clean and pure and perfect, and incorruptible, 1 John 3:9.  Then at the coming of Christ Jesus, the flesh  body of the true believer will also be made perfect and "incorruptible," 1 Corinthians 15:52-54.  Then the Lord God will finally have His own "incorruptible" government to put into position as rulers over redeemed mankind still in their natural bodies on the earth.     
The Changes We Believers Are Yet To Experience
     That every true believer will experience great "change" at the coming of the Lord is absolutely  certain, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is," 1 John 3:2.  
     [1]   A Change in our Body.....  
              Today the true believer is a being with two natures; the "sin nature" in our flesh, which we inherited from Adam, Romans 5:12, but also our soul or "inner man" which has been "born of God." Our soul is already clean, pure,  sinless,  and incorruptible.  This is why Paul gave his great discourse in Romans 7 on the two natures of the believer.  "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin," 7:25.  Paul then went on to say in Philippians 3:20-21, "For our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:
     Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself."   
     [2]    A Change in Gender.....
              Today, those readers of this study are either male or female.  After our body has been changed we will no longer have this sexual identity.  Rather, we are going to be a new species of mankind, created for the  special purpose of ruling and reigning with Christ.  Being a male or female will never get in the way of fulfilling the purpose for which we have become "new creations in Christ."
     [3]   A Change in the Aging Process.....
              The old patriarch Job, was explicitly told by "Elihu" [Job 32:1 - 37:24] that the person who truly places their faith in Christ, "His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth," Job 33:23-26.  
     In other words, when we receive our new body at the resurrection and rapture, irregardless of our age, or physical condition, we will "return" to the prime of life and the peak of health, and will remain that way "for ever."  Glory to God!  Regardless of our age and physical condition, if we should die before our Lord comes, at the resurrection and rapture, every true believer will receive a "glorified" body, like the glorious body of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Our body will then never age, never experience sickness, disease, pain, or any kind of bad health in all of "the ages to come," Ephesians 2:7.  Oh, glory to God!  Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord Jesus!   
     Folks, this is part of the "blessed hope" of the true believer, Titus 2:13.  Oh, glory to God!  What a great God, and beloved Savior, we believers have to love and serve and worship!   Lift up your voice and give our God praise and glory!  
      [4]   A Change in Nationality.....
              Today every reader of this study has a certain nationality, or race, to which they belong, or from which they have descended.  No folks, there will be no arguments or divisions in glory over one's nationality.  Every believer there will be "a son of God."  And instead of bearing the image of our present race, everyone of us will in some way bear the image of Him who brought us to spiritual birth; the Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 15:47-49.   Oh, glory to God.  Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord!    
     [5]   A change in citizenship.......
             The passage in Philippians 3:20-21, which speaks of our receiving a new body, also points out, that having been "born again," the Lord God already considers us as citizens of His Heavenly Kingdom.  Glory to God!  Although we are destined to rule and reign with Christ on the earth, our country will be Heaven itself.  Read the passage in Hebrews 11:8-16.  Glory to God!
     [6]    A Change in Location
              I suggest reading Ephesians 2:4-10, noting especially verses 6 & 10.   Folks, in the mind of God, we who are "born again"  believers are already there in glory with Him, "But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us,
      Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
     While this is presently spiritually true, at the resurrection and rapture, it is going to become literally true.  I can hardly wait to bow before my Father's throne in Heaven, and give to him in person the love and praise and devotion He is worthy of receiving.  And I can hardly wait to stroll through the golden streets of New Jerusalem with my brothers and sisters in Christ, as we all worship and praise the Lord.  Glory to God!   Praise the Lord!  Hallelujah!  
          The Purpose for A New Race of People
     While living here below true believers have served in all kinds of positions in this present world.  But when we are "caught up" to meet the Lord in the clouds at His coming, we will be given but one future service to perform for our Lord, and we will faithfully perform that service  "for ever."  I would suggest that our readers carefully study the Parable of the Pounds in Luke 19, and the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25.
        Our service as "glorified saints"  will begin when we return back to this earth with Christ, when He comes back at the end of the seven year Tribulation period, Zechariah 14:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:13.  It is at that time that Christ Jesus will purge and cleanse the whole earth of every God hating, Christ rejecting, person still alive on the earth. As the Lord Jesus passes over the surface of the earth, He will decide where the capitol of a nation is to be located in His Millennial Kingdom, and then He will select a "glorified saint" to rule over that nation.  Glory to God!  Christ Jesus will be setting in place a righteous and "incorruptible" government over this whole earth.
Verification
   This truth, which has been overlooked or ignored by many, is verified in Revelation 5.  In Revelation 4 & 5 John began to be shown  scenes in Heaven following his rapture in 4:1-2.  What John was shown continues right on into chapter five.  In 4:4 John saw "four and twenty elders" for the first time.  He then goes on to mention those "elders" several more times in both chapters.  It is obvious to the careful Bible student that those "four and twenty elders" portray the Lord's true believers who will be raptured off the earth at the end of the church age, and just before the beginning of the Tribulation period.
      Why am I so suree about this?   Because every saved person living today has been saved "by grace through faith," Ephesians 2:8.  The number in the Bible signifying "Grace; the grace of God," is number "5."  Then the number in the Bible which signifies "Faith; faith in God and Christ" is "19."  Now add those two numbers together and see if they don't add up to "24."  
     And now listen to the singing of those "24 elders" in Revelation 5:9-10.......    
.  "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;  
     And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."  The new "incorruptible" government of the Lord Jesus Christ is rejoicing as they sing this inspired song in glory.  I don't believe for a minute that the Lord God is going to refute their song, or deny their request.  Glory to God!  Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord!  
Conclusion  
     Dear readers, we who are true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are destined to rule and reign with Christ on this earth over a kingdom of absolute righteousness and peace, that will last "forever," Isaiah 9:7.    Oh, glory to God!
     I suspect that most of our saved readers, in their farthest imagination, never dreamed of being a king.  But that is the future the Lord God has prepared for those saved during this present Dispensation of Grace, John 14:1-6.  Praise His Holy Name!  
     Dear readers, any reader who is not saved is teetering on the edge of eternity right now, because our Lord is coming for His Church and people within.....DAYS!  No!  It is no longer months or years.  We are talking DAYS here.  Reading this study may be the last opportunity the Lord is giving you to come to Him in repentance and faith, and be saved!  Are you going to take the opportunity, and be saved for time and eternity, or will you stubbornly refuse God's "way" of salvation, and  find out for yourself  the reality of eternal damnation in the lake of fire?  Read Revelation 20:11-15.   I wrote and posted this study because I love and care for your soul.  Please meet me in glory when our Lord comes.       
     "Even so, come, Lord Jesus," Revelation 22:20.  
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     My contacts:
     By postal mail.....14275 County Road 8120, Rolla, Missouri 65401
     By email.......francismriley34@gmail.com
     By phone.....573-202-6493  
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