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
The declaration above, made by the apostle Paul, is one of the most profound statements in the entire Bible, and worthy of our attention. This verse is loaded with glorious truth that reveals God’s plans and purposes for humanity. The new creation being is at the very centre of the gospel message, and the reason why Jesus was born as a man, lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose again.
The new creation is a powerful being that instills fear in the camp of the devil, which is why he works hard to keep this truth from as many Christians as possible. It is unfortunate that the church at large focuses more on the outward expressions of the Christian faith than the inherent power that produces that kind of life.
Traditional religion keeps these truths hidden, but the Word of God reveals the new creation in terms that are easy for every serious Christian to understand. It is there for all who want to see!
Jesus did not come to give us religion, but to raise us in newness of life.
Memorize & Meditate: 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
The Bible mentions two Adams, both of them the head of a race of people like themselves, following the law of creation: every kind gives birth to its own kind. The first man Adam was born of God without human intervention. We know God made him in His image:
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:26-28
God gave the first couple the assignment to fill the earth with more of their own kind — just like everything else God had created. He also appointed Adam to be His steward (or manager) on the earth, that is to take care of everything He had made. With every appointment comes authority to enable one to fulfill his assignment. Adam also carried, within himself, every man and woman that would ever be born on the earth, making him the patriarch of the entire human race. All of this made Adam a very important man — and a target for the devil.
Adam and Eve had unrestricted fellowship with God. He even came down to enjoy their company in the garden. There was no lack, no sickness, no death, or any form of misery in God’s creation. It was clearly His will for mankind to be blessed because it was the first thing God did for them after He created them.
Tragically all of this changed when Adam decided to disobey the Lord’s command by eating of the forbidden tree. Instead of exercising his God-given authority to cast the serpent out of the garden, Adam cave to his temptation, and ate of the fruit. That one act of disobedience was, by default, an act of obedience to the serpent, and by it he activated a spiritual law that turned him into the devil’s slave:
Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? Romans 6:16
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. 2 Peter 2:19
So much happened in that moment:
Adam took the fruit from Eve, knowing the consequences, but chose to die with her
Adam died spiritually when he became separated from God, who is the source of life
Adam became the devil’s slave instead of God’s steward
All of creation that was under his stewardship fell with him (Romans 8:21)
The image of God in Adam was severely scarred
Adam now shadowed the image of the fallen angel by becoming a fallen man himself
The devil became the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4) because Adam willingly subjected himself to him
Adam made up his own righteousness by covering his shame in the presence of God
God put a curse on both Adam and Eve, as well as on the earth (Genesis 3:16-19)
Adam and Eve died spiritually when they sinned against the Lord, and became separated from Him because sin cannot stand in the presence of holy God. Children were born to them after they fell in sin, and all of them inherited the fallen nature of their parents:
As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one. Romans 3:10-12
…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
The carefree life on earth, with all its goodness and abundance, was over, and instead suffering and hard work became their way of life. Soon after that their family experienced deep sorrow: the first grave was dug, followed by a runaway son. This sad tragedy continued to impact the lives of their offspring: everyone born from fallen Adam is a fallen person like him. And that is the human race’s dilemma — all of us were born as fallen beings, and so Adam became the patriarch of a fallen race under a cruel new master.
The crown of God’s creation — the only species made in His image — became corrupt, was spiritually dead, and is now subject to the rule of Satan. Note that Jesus did not contradict the devil when he made this claim when he tempted Him:
Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Luke 4:5,6
The entire human race is spiritually dead, separated from God, and unable to save ourselves.
Memorize & Meditate: As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one. ~Romans 3:10-12
Thank God, He wasn’t going to leave it there! It wasn’t going to be a matter of cleaning up, restoring, or repairing of what the devil spoiled, but a brand new creation.
