The Transforming Power of Christ

The Transforming Power of Christ
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.”

For many people, the past remains like a specter in the night, continually haunting them with their failures so that the past defines the present. No matter where they turn, they are reminded of past mistakes and events that remain like an iron ball and chain, preventing them from any joy and peace. A small voice in our heads tells us that we will never be good enough and never overcome our guilt and regret.

In these verses, Paul desires to point us in a new direction by giving us a different perspective of ourselves and others.  In verse 16, he speaks of the new outlook we have upon others and upon ourselves because of the work Christ did on the cross (vs 14-15).  When Christ died on the cross, he paid in full the penalty of sin, offering us freedom from guilt and regret.  No matter how bad our life has been or how much we may feel the shame of past sins and decisions, Christ's death was sufficient. His death was for all humanity, even those who have committed the worst transgressions.  Therefore, we now have a different perspective of ourselves and other people, for we no longer see them through our standards; we see them through the lens of Christ.  

What causes this change of perspective? The answer lies in verse 17.  Because of Christ’s redemptive work in us, he completely changes us.  The word “new creature” is profound.  The word points us back to the beginning of time when God created the universe.  When humanity sinned, the stain of sin corrupted all humanity to the very core of our identity.  So great was the effect of sin that to be healed of its stain, we needed more than just a minor readjustment in our attitude and character.  We needed to be recreated.  This is what the term means.  Literally, it states that  ”he is a new creation.”  This not only involves complete cleansing from past sins, but it also affects eternity. The statement “new things have come” speaks of an event that happened but the results of that event are lasting into the future.  Jesus not only changed our past by removing the stain of our sin, He changed our future by guaranteeing our future salvation.  This He did by reconciling us back to God so that the hostility that existed between us and God because of our sin is now removed.

This even changes our whole outlook on life and our entire identity.  We are no longer defined by what happened in the past. We are now defined by what Christ has done for us in the present and the future.  No matter how sordid or shameful our past has been, it is now entirely changed.  In the sight of God, the past becomes irrelevant.  From the moment we accept Christ, our whole identity and relationship with God are changed.  This is why it no longer matters where we have been and what we have done; it only matters where we are going.  When we accept Christ, every sin, every act that brings guilt and shame, is removed, and He gives us a whole new life.  The past is not just forgotten; it is rendered insignificant.  The past no longer defines us; we are now defined by the future and what Christ has in store for us.  This transformation is not just a change in behavior, but a complete renewal of our inner being.

Are you still living in the past, living in the shame and guilt of events that happened?  Then, bring them to the cross and leave them there, for when we accept Christ and seek His forgiveness, He erases the slate and gives us a whole new life.  No longer are we defined by the sins we committed; we are now defined by the righteousness of Christ.