Commentary: A new creature in Christ

Todd Gaddis

Being 'in Christ' means that we have confessed our sins and acknowledged/accepted His death, burial, and resurrection as payment for our sins. ”

While attending their annual convention, a group of barbers decided to demonstrate the value of their skill. Finding a man living on the streets, they gave him a haircut, shave, and bath. Then, they fitted him with a new suit of clothes in the latest style. Satisfied with their work, they sent him on his way.

Unfortunately, three days later, they found him back in the gutter. Although he had been outwardly changed into a “respectable-looking” person, his inner habits, impulses, and drives had not changed. Though powdered and perfumed, he remained the same as before.

While outward improvements are helpful and necessary, true change comes from the inside. Concerning this, Paul penned, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away, behold, new things have come (2 Corinthians 5:17).

As we examine this verse, note first its broad scope. “Anyone” means that the gospel is open to all. No economic, demographic, political, or racial barriers can withstand the unconditional love of Christ. As they say, the ground is level at the foot of the cross.

Like the Word says, “God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. The Lord…not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9 NASB). 

Will everyone be saved? Are we all headed to the same place in the afterlife? Unfortunately, no. Because baked into that verse is a non-negotiable requirement. That “anyone” must be in Christ in order for his/her name to be written in the Lamb’s book of life. Being “in Christ” means that we have confessed our sins and acknowledged/accepted His death, burial, and resurrection as payment for our sins. 

Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter” (Matthew 7:21 NASB). Is that saying we can earn our salvation? Does this imply mistake-free living? Of course not. What it means is that we follow Him by faith and strive to be obedient to His guidance and direction. Such a life is entirely possible, because, according to this verse, a grand transformation has taken place. Again, “old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

A caterpillar that spins a cocoon doesn’t emerge as a reformed caterpillar. Instead, it is metamorphosed into a beautiful butterfly. A believer isn’t a reformed bad person. Rather, he/she has been transformed into a Christ-following, Spirit-indwelt citizen of heaven. 

Paul also said, as a result of his conversion, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Obviously, he was still alive, otherwise he wouldn’t have been able to write these words. What he meant was that the old Phariseeical, legalistic, Christian persecuting person “died” with Jesus on the cross, replaced by an intense, yet loving, mission-minded ambassador for Christ. 

The early church father Augustine (354-430) clearly understood Paul’s testimony. Early in his walk with Christ, he was approached by a prostitute from his younger, promiscuous days. When she said, "Augustine, it is I,” he turned away, responding, “But it is not I.”

When the devil comes knocking at your door, say “Get thee behind me, Satan. That lost person doesn’t live here anymore. I’ve been redeemed and transformed into 'a new creature in Christ.'"

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Todd Gaddis is a semi-retired minister living in Athens. He continues to serve as an interim pastor and can be reached at jtoddgaddis@gmail.com.