New Things

Maybe it's just me, but have you ever wondered about this verse? I know I have.

Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come (2 Cor 5:17).

This is the NAS version, and here it's not so confounding. Other versions are more baffling:

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (KJV).

So that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (LITV)!

So that if any one is in Christ-- he is a new creature; the old things did pass away, lo, become new have the all things (YLT).

Do you see the issue? These all agree ... "all things" have become new. But ... I don't know about you, but I still suffer from "old things". I still sin, still have temptations, still am not perfect in my thinking or my walk. I have not yet arrived. So ... in what sense have "all things" become new?

Perhaps it would be a good idea to look at the context.

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf (2 Cor 5:14-15).

In context, Paul is talking about "the earthly tent" (2 Cor 5:1) and the tribulations we endure, and how we should "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7). The premise is that, in the midst of difficulties, we need to do what is right because there is a judgment coming (2 Cor 5:10). Not being able, then, to trust ourselves, he says that "the love of Christ controls us".

This is a bit ambiguous. The phrase, both in Greek and in English, can mean "the love that we have for Christ" or "the love that comes from Christ toward us". I don't think that Paul was being reckless here. I think that the answer to "Which is it?" is "Yes!" That is, in the midst of difficulties and trials and troubles in this life, we are driven both by the love Christ has for us and by the love we have for Him. Indeed, John says "we love because He first loved us", so His love for us spawns our love for Him, and the two work together to drive our lives. We are controlled by the love of Christ.

That's nice, but how does it answer the question of "all things" being new? Paul says that, on the basis of being controlled by the love of Christ, "they who live should no longer live for themselves." Now, stop for a moment and think that over. That, my friends, is a paradigm shift. That's a fundamental change. That is a big rock in a little pool -- the ripples go forever. You see, humans, by nature, are self-centered. We live for ourselves. That's what we do. The bottom rung of life is purely self-centered and the more enlightened have learned that being nice to others makes my life better, but it's still self-interest. Paul says that, due to the fact that we are controlled by the love of Christ, there is a massive shift in the human being who is now forgiven. These people no longer live as all other humans live -- for self. Instead, they live "for Him who died and rose again on their behalf."

Folks, this is big -- really big. This will alter everything. As these ripples work their way outward from your heart to every corner of your life, everything will change. Oh, wait ... that's what he said, wasn't it. "All things have become new." So, you see, if you are in Christ, the change has already occurred. It will take some time to work itself out, but it will, if it kills you. And, in this particular case, that wouldn't be such a bad thing at all.