YOU ALREADY ARE A NEW CREATION!
“...Therefore if any man(woman) be in Christ, he(she) is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME (MADE) NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
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God’s people have been GIVEN a NEW LIFESTYLE already. God has MADE the MOST necessary change for them through the INDWELLING Holy Spirit. However, in order to ENJOY what God has FREELY given them, his people CHOOSE, by faith, to “WORK out their OWN salvation” by doing NEW BEHAVIORS. God’s people are WORKING to CHANGE into NEW CREATION, they are already NEW CREATIONS.
They are WORKING to RENEWING their MINDS in order to LIVE by faith and IN AGREEMENT with what has ALREADY been DONE! “...Therefore if any man(woman) be in Christ, he(she) is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME (MADE) NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…[God’s people]... are [to become] like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). They are to also be “…the Light which … [is empowered to]...[enlighten] every man (woman)…” (John 1:19 NASB). “…. [They]... now have this light shining in [their] hearts ...This makes it clear that [their] great power is from God, not from [them]selves…” (2 Corinthians 4:5-7 NLT).
Thus, after a person is SAVED, they willfully CHOOSE to “….WORK OUT [their]… own salvation…” (Philippians 2:12 KJV). “WORKING (with diligence and without compromise)” out your OWN salvation IS A sanctifying PROCESS God’s people will experience WHILE they follow THE PATH that LEADS to ETERNAL LIFE. “… Jesus (the WORD) opened a new and life-giving WAY ... into the Most Holy Place (ETERNAL LIFE)…” (Hebrews 10:19-20 NLT). “Jesus saith…I am THE WAY…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…"This is the WAY; WALK in it…" Isaiah 30:21 NIV). “…THE WAY is narrow that LEADS TO LIFE, and there are FEW who find it…” (Matthew 7:13-14 NASB).
Working out your own SALVATION (the being saved and sanctifying process) becomes their LIFESTYLE and includes: “…[Choosing to put]… aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to SAVE YOUR SOULS….” (James 1:21 NASB). It is actively “…[choosing to] …throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life…” (Ephesians 4:22 NIV). “…You must [also choose to]…put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor…” (Ephesians 4:25 NLT). It is “….[choosing to]…let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice…” (Ephesians 4:31 KJV). “….Ye also [choose to]…put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth….” (Colossians 3:8 KJV). “…Wherefore [choose to lay] … aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings…” (1 Peter 2:1 KJV).
A NEW CREATION is EMPOWERED by the indwelling Holy Spirit through faith, in Jesus (God’s WORD) to “work out their own salvation.” It is God’s command that each of his children “….WORK OUT [their]… own salvation…” (Philippians 2:12 KJV). It is NOT impossible! “…[They]... can do ALL THINGS through Christ which strengtheneth [them]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). .“…it is God (the indwelling Holy Spirit) which worketh in [them]… both to will and to do...” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “….Apart from Me (the INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT), [they]... can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
“...Working out their OWN SALVATION...” is God’s people’s personal CHOICE. The bible says: “….WORK OUT [YOUR]… own salvation…” (Philippians 2:12 KJV). “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live...” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “...Jesus (the LIVING Word of God, the indwelling Spirit, the LIGHT, God’s working POWER) saith…I am ...the life…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
“…The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who CHOOSE that way. …” (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT). “…choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Choose you (MAKE A WILLFUL CHOICE) this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). NEW CREATIONS are fully equipped to LIVE holy, wholesome, and healthy lives. “… the God of peace… that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).
NEW CREATIONS have God’s WORD, which has the “intrinsic” POWER to enable them to WORK out their salvation. “… [You]… are given...exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be PARTAKERS of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance PATIENCE; and to PATIENCE godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ…GIVE DILIGENCE (attention, energy, determination) TO MAKE YOUR CALLING AND “ELECTION” SURE; FOR IF YOU (choose to) “DO” THESE THINGS, YE SHALL NEVER FALL...” (2 Peter 1: 4-9 KJV). Becoming diligent and non-compromising in working out your OWN salvation will have GOOD, POSITIVE and ADVANTAGEOUS results.
“...the hand of the diligent maketh rich...” (Proverbs 10:4 NASB). “...Diligence makes wealth...” (Proverbs 10:4 MSG). “...hard workers get rich...” (Proverbs 10:4 MSG). “...the soul of the diligent shall be made fat...” (Proverbs 13:4 NASB). “...the energetic have something to show for their lives...” (Proverbs 13:4 MSG). “... those who work hard will prosper...” (Proverbs 13:4 NLT). “...The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness...” (Proverbs 21:5 NASB). “...Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity...” (Proverbs 21:5 NLT). “...Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run...” (Proverbs 21:5 MSG).
Diligent and non-compromising people are the ones who will WORK HARD at “working out their OWN salvation” by TRUSTING and DEPENDING upon the INDWELLING Holy Spirit to HELP them each and every day. “...HE (SHE) THAT “SHALL” (choose to) ENDURE (be diligent and non-compromising) UNTO THE END SHALL BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV). God’s people are NOT trying to change their LIFESTYLE; God did that for them by MAKING them into NEW CREATIONS.
They are working at RENEWING their MINDS. This is DONE by FAITH in the FINISHED work of Jesus Christ. “... it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him (allow Jesus to go through certain trials and tribulations) and cause him grief ... his life [was made]... an offering for sin...” (Isaiah 53:10-11 NLT). “…my righteous servant (Jesus) ...[made] ... it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he [bore]... all their sins…” (Isaiah 53:11 NLT). Jesus CAME to earth “…to give His life a ransom for many...” (Matthew 20:28 KJV). . “…God intended... [JESUS’ trials and tribulations]... for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives...” Genesis 50:20 NIV). “… I [laid] down my life... [to give mankind a NEW LIFE] …” (John 10:17-18 KJV). “… HE WAS [spiritually] RICH, yet for your sakes he became [spiritually] poor, that [new creations]... through his poverty might be [spiritually] RICH…” (2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV).
“...[Jesus]... said, It is finished…” (John 19:28-30 KJV). “...Therefore if any man(woman) be in Christ, he(she) is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME (MADE) NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). If YOU are already a NEW CREATION it is YOUR MIND that must come into AGREEMENT with your NEW IDENTITY in Christ. “...For in him [God’s people]... live, and move, and have [their] being (their NEW identity, ETC.); as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring...” (Acts 17:28 KJV).“… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).
Your MIND is FILLED with memories, identities, habits, practices, and behaviors LINKED to the old, crucified sinful nature. Without being RENEWED, the mind will LIMIT and HINDER God’s NEW CREATION from LIVING an ABUNDANT spiritual LIFE in Christ Jesus (God’s WORD). First and foremost, EVERY child of God can be transformed into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ, by the renewing of their mind with revelation knowledge of God’s LIVING Word.
“…be transformed by the renewing of your mind...[through the revelation knowledge of God’s truth, which is Jesus, the LIGHT of the world]...” (Romans 12:1 KJV). Jesus said: “… I am (jesus, the word of god, who is) the light... (the revelation knowledge of God) ...of the world..." (John 9:5, 8:12 KJV).
“... [the word, Jesus]... is a light to reveal God to the nations (and to individuals)...” (Luke 2:32 NLT). “... [Jesus is]....A Light of revelation...” (LUKE 2:32 NASB). “…In this world we are LIKE JESUS…” (1 John 4:17 NIV).
In this world, God’s people are also, “… the light of the world (WITNESSES of HIS revelation knowledge)..." (Matthew 5:14 KJV). “…[God’s people]... are [to become] like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV).
They are to also be “…the Light which … [is empowered to]...[enlighten] every man (woman)…” (John 1:19 NASB). “…. [They]... now have this light shining in [their] hearts ...This makes it clear that [their] great power is from God, not from [them]selves…” (2 Corinthians 4:5-7 NLT).
“...Therefore if any man(woman) be in Christ, he(she) is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME (MADE) NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
Being MADE into a NEW CREATION means that God has prepared and equipped his people with EVERYTHING they’ll ever NEED to become transformed into the IMAGE and LIKENESS of Jesus Christ, HIS LIVING Word. “...old things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME (MADE) NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…That great Shepherd of the sheep (God, the Holy Spirit), equip you with everything good for doing his will…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).
“…The Spirit of God dwelleth in [God’s people]...” (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV). “ …[God’s people]…have this treasure (the WORD, the indwelling Holy Spirit, the LIGHT, etc.) in [their]…earthen vessel(within the heart of the soul)...” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7 KJV). “… His (Jesus’) name is called The Word of God…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). “… God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son (HIS WORD) into [the] hearts ... [of his people]...” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…THE WORDS ... they ARE SPIRIT…” (John 6:63 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).
“…It is God(the Holy Spirit) who worketh IN YOU (in HIS people), both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…Christ (the Word, the indwelling Spirit, the LIGHT) liveth in [God’s people] …” (Galatians 2:20 KJV). The indwelling Holy Spirit, the Word, the LIGHT, etc., EMPOWERS God’s people to “…be conformed to the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV). “…[God’s people are to become]... transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).“…[God’s people]... can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth [them to do it]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
There is NO DOUBT that God’s people are NEW CREATIONS equipped with EVERYTHING they need to become transformed into the IMAGE and LIKENESS of Jesus Christ.
Well, what is the problem? The problem is that transformation is a CHOICE of the human will. “…choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Choose you (MAKE A WILLFUL CHOICE) this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “Jesus (the LIVING Word of God, the indwelling Spirit, the LIGHT, God’s working POWER) saith…I am ...the life…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who CHOOSE that way. …” (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT).
The human will CAN create problems with transforming into the IMAGE and LIKENESS of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, when “…there was no king in Israel (RULE or LAW to GOVERN behavior): every man (woman) did that which was right in his (her) own eyes...” (Judges 21:25 KJV).
God’s people often, willfully, followed their OWN stubborn choices. “…But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). So the question for God’s people is NOT can you transform into the IMAGE and LIKENESS of Christ, but “Have you chosen to renew your mind, yet?” “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
The NEW CREATION is no longer a mere human being, but has become a spiritual being, again through Jesus Christ. The soul has been reconciled to its former GLORY through Jesus, which was originally created in God’s image and likeness. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).
“….let us make man in “our” image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). “…male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “… [they were]…. DEAD and [have been made]… ALIVE AGAIN; [spiritually alive. Their souls were]… lost and [have been]… found…” (Luke 15:24 NIV). “... [Thus, the redeemed]... man (woman) became a living soul (again) …” (Genesis 2:7 KJV). The MIND developed and trained by the old, crucified sinful nature has NO CLUE on how to HELP you live as a NEW CREATION or spiritual being.
The VOICE of the old, crucified sinful nature must become TOTALLY silent and CANCELLED out! “….When you (the redeemed soul) follow the desires (influential VOICE) of your [old crucified,]...sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life WILL NOT inherit the Kingdom of God. …” (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT). “...I want to do what is good, but I don’t …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“...I am all too human, a slave to sin (through the old, crucified sinful nature) ...I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin (through the old, crucified sinful nature) that [has its influential VOICE still] … within me (within my heart and mind) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…The ... [flesh]... nature ...never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).
“…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by SIN? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). The OLD, CRUCIFIED sinful nature or its INFLUENTIAL VOICE can PLAY a role, AT ALL, in your LIFE as a NEW CREATION in Christ Jesus.
RESIST THE DEVIL who uses the old, crucified sinful nature and its voice! DON’T LET HIM INTO “ANY” AREA OF YOUR LIFE. “...do not give the devil an opportunity...” (Ephesians 4:27 NASB). “...Neither give place to the devil...” (Ephesians 4:27 KJV). “...do not give the devil a foothold...” (Ephesian 4:27 NLT). “...Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life...” (Ephesians 4:26-27 MSG).
This scripture is talking about anger, but the bottom line is whatever issues of the MIND you have or experience; DON’T LET the DEVIL into the situation or circumstance! “… REPENT and TURN TO God …” (Acts 26: 20 NASB).
The bible tells God’s people to GUARD their HEARTS or MINDS with diligence. “..Keep vigilant watch over your heart (mind); that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust...” (Proverbs 4:23 MSG). “...Guard your heart (mind) above all else, for it determines the course of your life...” (Proverbs 4:23 NLT). “...Keep thy heart (mind) with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life...” (Proverbs 4:23 KJV).
Out of the human heart COME thoughts into your MIND, but God’s people are to GUARD those thoughts against lies, manipulations, past evil thoughts, lustful desires, laziness, bad habits, old ways of living, rebellions, and disobedience.
Diligently RENEWING the MIND keeps God’s people from letting the enemy, through the old, dead, crucified sinful nature, take advantage of them in ANY way. Thus, the bible warns them to guard their hearts (minds) with God’s WORD! Sometimes God’s people PASSIVELY accept anything that comes out of their hearts into their minds and it sabotages their spiritual goals.
God’s people CHOOSE to diligently RENEW their MINDS so they can CAST “...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; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled...” (2 Corinthians 10:5-6 KJV).
“...The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity...” (2 Corinthians 10:5-6 MSG).
God’s people LACK nothing. They are ALREADY NEW CREATIONS and have everything they NEED to RENEW their MINDS, become TRANSFORMED, and become CONFORMED to the IMAGE of Jesus Christ!
When God’s people CONTINUE to LISTEN to the VOICE of the old, dead, crucified sinful nature they are CHOOSING to live BENEATH who God, the Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ has CREATED them to be as NEW CREATIONS. ITS TIME TO STOP!
God has SET the GOALS for you as NEW CREATIONS in Christ already. God’s people are to be HOLY, live FREE from SIN, and become CONFORMED into the image of his SON. “…be holy …” (1 Peter 1:16 KJV). “…ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy …” (Leviticus 20:26 KJV). “…It is God who works (holiness) IN YOU …” (Philippians 2:13 NIV).
“... [New Creations have been] made free from sin….” (Romans 6:18 KJV). “... If the Son therefore shall make you free, you SHALL be free indeed...” (John 8:36 KJV). “…Where the Spirit (indwelling Holy Spirit) of the Lord is, there is liberty (freedom)...” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). “…The Spirit of God dwelleth in [God’s people]…” (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV). “... It was for FREEDOM that Christ set us FREE...” (Galatians 5:1 NASB). “... Stand fast ...in the liberty...” (Galatians 5:1 KJV).
“…be conformed to the image of his Son (the WORD)…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV). “…In this world we are LIKE JESUS…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). “… GROW (develop, transform) in the GRACE and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” (2 Timothy 3:18 NIV). “… [change, transform]… into the SAME IMAGE …” (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV).) “…[the]…image of HIS SON...” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV). “…[into the]…fullness of CHRIST…” (Ephesians 4:14 NIV).
Not RENEWING your MIND or BRINGING your MIND and ALL its thoughts into captivity to God’s WORD will KEEP you LIVING a limited spiritual life in Christ. You MAY have a thousand reasons and just as many excuses, but the bible says YOU ARE a NEW CREATION. That applies to every single soul that has accepted Jesus as their SAVIOR and have been redeemed. NOTHING is too hard for God or IMPOSSIBLE for him.
Therefore, NEW CREATIONS “CAN” do ALL (excludes nothing) through Jesus, the indwelling SPIRIT, that strengthens them to DO IT!! God’s people WILLFULLY choose to have a more ROBUST and ABUNDANT spiritual LIFE by TAKING the action INSTRUCTED by God TO RENEW their MINDS which will TRANSFORM them and enable them to LIVE LIKE the NEW CREATIONS they’ve already BECOME in Christ Jesus
.“...Therefore if any man(woman) be in Christ, he(she) is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME (MADE) NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).“…I can do ALL THINGS through Christ which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “…It is God which worketh IN [his people] both to will and to do of his good pleasure…” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).
“…That great Shepherd of the sheep, equip [NEW CREATIONS] with everything good for doing his will, and may he work “IN [THEM]” what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…the Father … doeth the works (TRANSFORMING and CONFORMING HIS people when they choose to renew their minds)…” (John 14:10 KJV).
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