Our days can look like repetitions of the earlier ones, without change. We do the same thing every day and in the same way, causing us to feel as if we are not progressing in life. Experiencing this daily can cause us to feel down and dry. You long for a fresh feeling-a new life-but you do not know how to bring that about, causing you to wonder: what is blocking me from becoming a new creature in Christ? You want a new life in Christ, but don’t know where to start.
Well, the best place to begin is with a self-evaluation. What I do, instead of blaming everything or everyone around me, is a self-check. I ask myself questions like, “What am I doing that causes me to have certain feelings?”, “What am I pondering in my mind?”, or “Is my life in line with God’s Word?” And I don’t stop questioning myself until I find the cause of my negative feelings. Because only by recognizing the cause, then I can find a solution.
It is possible to experience that freshness in Christ, to feel a new person. We can wonder, what does it mean to be a new creation in Christ, and how does one become a new creation? Well, the start to becoming a new creature in Christ lays in our thinking. We need to transform our thinking to be in line with God’s Word.
So, my place to go to is the Word of God.
What does the Bible say about being a new person?
When I feel down or confused, or desperately need a change in my life, I pick my Bible and check my lifestyle against God’s word. I check whether my life is in line with God’s Word. And when it is not, I adjust based on the instructions and guidance in the Bible.
I receive insights, encouragement, and solutions by reading and meditating on God’s Word. I compare my life with God’s Word by asking myself questions like:
- “What or who does God’s Word say I am?”
- “Which directions does it give me?”
- “Do I follow God’s instructions?”
- “Do I believe I am whom God says I am?”
- “Did I take the steps to become the person God wants me to be?”
These types of questions I use in journalling my Bible reading time. A perfect method to use for journaling and keeping track of Bible study and prayer time is the SOAP method of Bible study. You can use this method to compare your lifestyle with God’s Word and make adjustments where needed to fully live your new life in Christ.
To become a new person in Christ is not about what we want or how we feel. It is solely about what God wants for us. God made us for a purpose, and He wishes us to live in that purpose. He requires us to live a new life in and with Him.
To know what God says about becoming or being a new person in Christ, we need to read His Word, the Bible.
New creation in Christ Bible verses
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
What is the meaning of old things are passed away, in 2 Corinthians 5:17? The day we accepted Christ and became His, we became new and received our new identity in Christ. The mere fact that we are born-again makes us new persons. It is as simple as that. We are new persons because we belong to Christ.
“Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”
Ephesians 4:24 (NLT)
To start a new life in Christ, we must actively put on our new nature. God created us to be new in Him, but He expects us to walk in the new life and to embrace it. He wants us to live our new life, and manifest we are new creatures. When we do that, we will exhibit the characteristics of a new life in Christ.
“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.”
Colossians 3:10 (NLT)
God wants us to know Him, and He wants us to change the way we think. We become renewed and more and more like God while we study the Word of God. The Bible says not only much about being and becoming new beings in Christ, but throughout the Bible, we learn about God and who we are in Him. The more we know how He is, the better we can become like Him.
If becoming a new creature in Christ is so simple, then why do we struggle so often to feel brand new?
What prevents us from becoming a new creation in Christ?
Our minds are the major obstacles to becoming new in Christ. The way we think can block us from becoming new, as well as the way we behave. God says we are new in Him the moment we get born again. But do we behave that way? And do we think that way?
This is so important because the way we think and use our minds determines the outcome of our lives. It decides whether or not we will be renewed. The Bible verse in Romans 12:2 (NLT) tells much about becoming a new creation in Christ:
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”
This Bible verse shows our own life, our own mind, and our own behavior block us from becoming new persons. But what is it we do that prevents us from becoming new persons?
Several things can stop us from becoming new creatures in Christ
Most likely, there are more things we do that causes us not to live a new life in Christ. It may not just be one thing we do.
Several factors may be at play:
- Worldly behavior instead of focusing on God. (Romans 12:2).
- Our thought patterns. (Romans 12:2).
- Copying others instead of living our own identity in Christ. (Romans 12:2).
- Unbelief. (Mark 9:23-25).
- Sin. (Ephesians 4:22).
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 (NLT)
Since we ourselves block our progress, we can do something about it. We don’t have to stay the same; we can take the steps to become new persons, to enjoy a new life in Christ.
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How do you become a new creature in Christ?
So, then what should we do to become new? Well, God made provision for that in His Word. There are several Bible verses about new creations in Christ. A fundamental verse is:
“Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”
Ephesians 4:22-24 (NLT)
Based on this, you can take seven steps to become new:
- Recognize who you are in Christ (identity in Christ).
- Believe it (faith in Christ).
- Throw away your old life (the way you were before knowing God).
- Stop sinning (change of behavior).
- Let the Holy Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes (change of mind).
- Put on your new nature (forward action taking).
- Live in line with God’s word (exhibit all characteristics of new life in Christ).
Once you have taken these seven steps, you have succeeded in becoming a new person. And that comes with benefits!
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Benefits of being new in Christ
“Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:2b (NLT)
When we think positive thoughts, in line with God’s Word, we will not only become new persons in Christ (new creatures) but also reap benefits. We will receive benefits to our spirit, our soul, and our bodies.
Spirit:
- Discerning the will of God (Romans 12:2b).
- Having a clear view of God’s goodness (Romans 12:2b).
- Growing closer to God and being more like Him (Colossians 3:10).
- Recognizing your identity in Christ (Colossians 3:2-3).
- Receiving life and peace (Romans 8:6).
Soul:
- Increased confidence, knowing who you are in Christ.
- Lower stress levels, knowing your life is in God’s hands.
- Better coping skills, knowing God is in control.
- Happiness and enjoyment of life, knowing you have hope and a future.
Body:
- Healing of your body (Proverbs 15:13; 16:24; 17:22).
Let’s pray
Thank You, Lord, that You have made me a new creature in Christ. The day I got born again, I became new. I embrace my fresh life in You. I put on my new nature, created to be like You.
Help me not to live my old way of life and to remember the old has passed away. Don’t let me pick up my old way of thinking and old habits. Help me not to copy behaviors of the world.
Instead, transform me and help me change my way of thinking. I give myself to You fully, my spirit, my soul, and my body. I give you my everything.
By becoming a new person, I receive all benefits which come with it. Thank You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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