Renewal Series – 2 Corinthians 5:12 – New Creation
“Therefore, is anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
When read with the preceding verses there is a connection to the what Jesus said to Peter and his disciples outside of Caesarea Philipi.
“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” – 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Before Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, he explained something to his disciples they did not understand nor were they convinced – at first.
“… Jesus began to explain to his disciples that … he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” – Matthew 16:21. Simon Peter objected because as Jesus rebuke him, he “did not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (v. 23). Peter’s concerns were for his friend, Jesus. He did not want to see his friend die. His mind was so focused on human concerns that he overlooked the fact that Jesus said, “on the third day be raised to life.” It is also conceivable that Peter had similar aspirations for who Jesus was – as many of Jesus’ followers had. That is, they thought he’d overthrow Rome as a political leader – an earthly king. (The world and its kingdoms are temporary.)
But Peter grew in his faith as it was tested over time, as did the disciples of Jesus and most certainly many of his followers throughout the region. Later, the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth to encourage them to do the same. He reminded them that Jesus died for all. He was raised for all “that those who live should no longer live for themselves.” In Matthew 16, Jesus stated, “‘For whoever wants to save their life will lose it…’” (v 25a). Peter did not understand this at first, but over time he came to a full realization of what it meant to “… regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.” – 2 Corinthians 5:16. There is no room for self when a person becomes a new creation in Jesus. There is no room for pride as Peter later wrote, “… All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because…” (1 Peter 5:5b), and then he quotes a Proverb, “… God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble.” This is how a follower of Christ should view Jesus for who he is, and how we should view others for who they are – creations of God who is eternal.
“Therefore, is anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17. Pride is dead. Humility lives.
