When we come to Christ, we are not just forgiven – we are completely transformed. In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul reminds the church at Corinth that they were not only reconciled on purpose but remade on purpose. This powerful truth changes everything about how we see ourselves and how we live in the world.

What Does It Mean to Be a New Creation?

ld things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
This verse isn’t suggesting a minor adjustment to our lives – it’s declaring a complete transformation. When we come to Christ, we aren’t just getting a spiritual tune-up; we’re being entirely remade from the inside out.
Think about classic car restoration. To properly restore a vintage car, you must:

Take it down to the bare metal
Repair all the rusted spots
Insulate it properly
Repaint it completely

When finished, it’s essentially a brand-new car – sometimes even better than when it first came off the assembly line. This is what God does with us. He doesn’t just patch up a few problem areas; He makes us completely new.

Why Don’t I Feel Like a New Creation?

Many of us struggle with this concept because we still battle with sin and don’t always feel “new.” We carry guilt over past mistakes, and sometimes Satan whispers in our ear, “I know where you were 20 years ago, and it wasn’t in church.”
The truth is that our newness isn’t based on our feelings or even our behavior. It’s based on what Christ has done for us. The righteousness we have isn’t our own – its Christ’s righteousness given to us as a gift.
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
How Should We See Others After Being Made New?

Paul begins this passage by saying, “Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh” (2 Corinthians 5:16). Once we understand our own transformation, it changes how we view others.
We no longer look at people through “fleshly eyes” – seeing only their problems, trials, or sins. Instead, we look at them through the eyes of Christ, who came to reconcile them just as He reconciled us.
This is a critical test of our transformation: Has your relationship with Christ changed how you see other people? If not, it might be time to recommit growing in that relationship.

What Is Our Purpose After Being Made New?

God doesn’t just reconcile us and remake us for our own benefit. He does it with a clear purpose in mind:
“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18)
We are given a ministry – a responsibility and opportunity to share the gospel with others who need to hear it. We become “ambassadors for Christ” (v.20), representing Him to a world that desperately needs reconciliation.
Think about it: When I asked you to think of someone who needs to hear about Jesus, a specific person probably came to mind immediately. That’s not coincidence – that’s the Holy Spirit prompting you toward your ministry of reconciliation.
How Do We Live as New Creations?

Living as a new creation means:

Accepting that your past doesn’t define you anymore
Embracing the righteousness that Christ has given you
Looking at others through spiritual eyes rather than fleshly ones
Taking up your ministry of reconciliation

Paul warns us not to “receive the grace of God in vain” (2 Corinthians 6:1). Each day, we have a choice: we can hold onto the old things we used to be because they’re comfortable, or we can embrace our new identity and purpose in Christ.
Life Application

This week, I challenge you to live as the new creation God has made you to be:

Identify one area where you’re still living according to your old nature rather than your new identity in Christ. Surrender this area to God in prayer.

Think of that person who needs to know Jesus – the one who came to mind during this message. Pray diligently for them this week and ask God for an opportunity to share the gospel with them.

Practice seeing others through spiritual eyes rather than fleshly ones. When you encounter difficult people, remind yourself that God desires reconciliation with them just as He did with you.

Ask yourself these questions:

Am I living as if I’ve truly been made new, or am I clinging to my old identity?
How has my relationship with Christ changed the way I see others?
Am I actively participating in the ministry of reconciliation God has given me?

Remember, you have been reconciled to God on purpose and with purpose. You have been remade by God with purpose and on purpose. The question is: How will you respond?