Why 2 Corinthians 5:17?

This verse, more than any other verse in the bible, is the definitive description of a new Christian (in my opinion, anyway).

We are reborn into our new identity. The old self is “passed away”, and a “new thing” has emerged.

Is the Christian a physically renewed person?

No. We look to 2 Cor 5:16 for the lead on this: “Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.” The new Christian is reborn spiritually.

We can see this paralleled briefly in Galatians 6:11-15. Here, Paul is warning believers concerning those who would try to put them under the law of circumcision. Note what Paul says in verse 15: “Neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.” It does not matter if you are circumcised or not. What matters is that you are a “new creation”.

As a Christian, I am a new creation. I am no longer my old self! I look to my future through the eyes of a new identity.

Praise God!

Does this mean, however, that I no longer have to worry about what I did prior to my new birth?

Unfortunately, no. We all still have to face consequences for our actions.

That topic, however, is for a future post.