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Dear Partner, The phrase "new creature" is used only twice in the bible: 2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Gal 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. Sometimes we hear verses like these so many times we become somewhat "dull of hearing" because they have become so familiar to us. We hear them, say "Amen," and then go on with our lives without the power of those truths having much of an impact on us. Let me share with you some of the things I have been learning about what these verses are really saying. In the Greek language from which the bible was originally translated, the two words translated "new creature" are "kainos ktisis." The word "kainos" simply means "new." Nothing unexpected in that definition. But the word "ktisis" is actually derived from the Greek word "ktizo" which is defined as follows by Strong's Dictionary Of New Testament Words: 2936. ktizo, ktid'-zo; prob. akin to G2932 (through the idea of the proprietorship of the manufacturer); to fabricate, i.e. found (form originally):--create, Creator, make. If any man be in Christ, he is a newly fabricated, something freshly and originally formed by the Owner. In Christ we are newly created, newly made. In my studies I have found the same Greek word for "creature" is used in the New Testament to describe when God first created the heavens and the earth: Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation [ktisis] of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. It is easy for us to understand that when God “created” the world that He made something brand new that did not exist before. That new world had no past because it did not exist before God created it. THAT is the truth that God is trying to get across to us. When we were born again, God created a new spirit within us that did not exist before. We are NOT the same old sinners, only forgiven now. No, every believer is a NEW CREATION that has no past. Not from God’s point of view. We are a “new man” created (newly, freshly fabricated by the Owner) and we are no longer what we used to be. Paul alludes to this new man who resides on the inside of every believer when he says, Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created [ktizo] in righteousness and true holiness. There is that Greek word "ktizo" again. That new man on the inside of us is created, from the moment we believe, in rightousness and true holiness. Most of us were trained to believe that we are "just old sinners saved by grace." That implies that we are still the same old creation that we used to be. We were taught the only difference after we were saved was … we were forgiven by the sacrifice of Jesus. The truth is:
Why is this so important? If we continue to see ourselves as the same old person we always were, only forgiven, then we will never tap into the power of the new nature God provided for us at the new birth. At that moment we were saved there was a new man created within our spirit that is in the very nature and image of Christ. We are NOT the same old weak, powerless, sin-dominated people we were before being born again. Most of the church world is asleep to this truth because, for the most part, we have not been taught this truth. At our core, we have been newly created in righteousness and true holiness. It is time for the church to rise from its slumber and awake to the truth of the gospel: Rom 13:11 Another reason for right living is this: you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of the Lord is nearer now than when we first believed. (Living Bible) Sue and I love you and appreciate you. We thank God for your generous and giving heart. God bless you! Your friend and co-laborer, Gary Carpenter
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