“Therefore if any person is
[ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature
altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away.
Behold, the fresh and new has come!”
2
Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified Bible)
In
Paul’s letter to Roman believers (Romans 11:17) he explains how the Jews
rejection of Jesus as their anticipated Messiah or deliverer opened the door
for all non-Jews (Gentiles) to become “grafted in” among the other olive
branches sapping nourishment from the olive root. Here in Paul’s letter to the Corinthian
church, he speaks of a new creation. The
Amplified translation of the Bible uses the word “ingrafted” to describe coming
to know Christ in a personal way.
Scripture speaks of a man either being born once and dying
twice or conversely, being born twice and die only once. The first birth is via his or her mother’s
womb. The second birth is of water
(Baptism) and the Spirit of God (John 3:3, 5).
The first death is our natural death where our spirit leaves our body to
decay in the ground. The second death is
for all those whose name is not written in the Lambs Book of Life at God’s
White Throne Judgment. All who have turned
their backs on Christ shall be thrown into a lake of fire.
Once we receive forgiveness for our sins our old self, our
old nature is supposed to die. Our
conversion makes us righteous in the sight of God instantly; however, the death
of our old nature may be progressive in nature based on our past. By design, our previous moral and spiritual
condition, which was depraved by all godly standards, passed away. We are a new creation! All things have become fresh and new. Don’t miss any opportunity to do all you can
for Christ in His name. Our selfish nature
must be overshadowed by selflessness. Our importance in this life shrinks as God
becomes greater and we become lesser.
Give in to the will of God and shine for the kingdom as you were meant
to. Until next time, walk with the King
and be a blessing!
* Second Death - Revelation 21:8; 20:10;
14:9-11; Mark 9:42-48; Matthew 25:30,41,46; 22:13
