New things have come
by Liz Griffin
‘Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come’ is a verse to memorise, display on the wall, and put into song. In two previous verses the Apostle Paul explains how, as believers, we are controlled by the love of Christ since Christ died and rose again on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). He then goes on to say something drastic has happened to those who are ‘in Christ’. They have become ‘new creatures’; old things have gone and new things have come. What are the new things that have come? Paul talks of being reconciled to God, in close relationship to Him through Jesus, having our sins washed away, becoming ambassadors for Jesus and becoming the ‘righteousness of God’ in Jesus.
We get a new start in life and if you’ve been aware of your sinful choices before you became a believer, this is a precious truth to hold on to. In the healing ministry we find many who still hold themselves in condemnation and feel ashamed of their past.
I have often explained to people, who have broken down and cried about their sins, that the devil wants them to be tormented by the memories of the past. Now we have a new start in life we can make choices from now on that please God and glorify Jesus. We don’t have to strive and strive on our own. The Holy Spirit has been sent to help us in our journey of sanctification and healing. In Ellel Ministries we often teach that healing is a process and not an instantaneous thing.
Shortly after this marvellous proclamation the Apostle Paul quotes the Old Testament and tells the Corinthian believers ‘do not be bound together with unbelievers’, that they must ‘come out from their midst and be separate’ and ‘do not touch what is unclean’. If they do this God promises to welcome them and be a father to them. He continues in this letter to say ‘Therefore having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1).
Paul preached the lordship of Jesus – it’s the most important issue in our lives. It’s thrilling to become a ‘new creature’ in Jesus but we can’t stop there and become complacent. We must go on growing and maturing in our faith, becoming stronger and stronger in the Lord Jesus. If we are willing and obedient to Jesus, submitting to His lordship, He will show us by His Holy Spirit areas of our life that need to be cleansed from all defilement.
Prayer: Father God, I want to grow closer and closer to You. Please show me any areas of my life that you want to cleanse. I thank You that You have made me a new creature, that I’m Your child, and that You love me dearly. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Liz Griffin lived for 20 years as an expatriate in South Africa, Bahrain and Japan, as her husband Paul worked for an international oil company. Paul and Liz became involved with Ellel Ministries in 1991 as part of the ministry team and joined the full-time team at Ellel Grange in 1995. Paul and Liz teach and minister to those seeking healing in their lives and together have written two books, 'Anger - How Do You Handle It' and 'Hope and Healing For The Abused'.
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