Being a new creation in Christ means that through faith in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, God creates a new divine nature within the believer, so that old things pass away and all things become new.
Les Feldick teaches that when a person is placed into Christ by the Holy Spirit, God performs a work of creation, giving them a new nature that cannot sin. This is not merely a moral improvement but a complete spiritual regeneration, where the old lifestyle and desires are replaced by a new divine nature, even though the believer still struggles with the old flesh.
2 Corinthians 5:17 — This verse directly states the truth that in Christ, a person is a new creation with old things passed away and all things become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." This verse emphasizes a complete transformation that occurs when an individual is in Christ. The old life, with its former habits and nature, is gone, replaced by a new creation brought about by God's power (2 Corinthians 5:17; see also Galatians 6:15).
Les Feldick explains that being a new creation is a work of God, not a human effort. He emphasizes that the Greek word translated "creature" is better rendered "creation" because salvation is a creative act of God's power. When a person believes the Gospel and is placed into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, God creates within them a new divine nature that cannot sin. This new nature is eternal and invisible, a work of God in the unseen realm. However, the believer still retains the old flesh, which can trip them up, but the new creation is the defining reality of a true believer.
Les explains that the Greek word is the same for both, but "creation" fits better in English because salvation is not just making a new creature but is a whole new creation of God. He points out that God is the Creator, and when we believe, He does a work of creation within us, giving us a new nature.
Les notes that the verse begins with "if," making it conditional. Even though Christ paid for the sins of the whole world, salvation is not automatic. A person must be "in Christ" — that is, placed into Christ by believing the Gospel and the Holy Spirit's work. Only then does God perform the work of making them a new creation.
Les teaches that the Holy Spirit places the believer into the Body of Christ. This spiritual positioning is how a person gets "in Christ." The Holy Spirit does this work, and as a result, God creates a new nature within the believer. This new nature is invisible and can only be touched by God, not by humans.
How Are We Reconciled to God? 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 Explained
We are not supported by any group. I'm not a pastor. I do not have a church backing us. We just totally depend on the gifts of you, the listeners, and so far God hWe don't ever have a surplus, but on the other hand, we don't have anybody knocking on our doors asking for their bills to be paid, so we just trust the Lord as we go.
New Creation Defined
Les explains that being in Christ makes one a new creation, a work of God's power, where old things pass away and all becomes new.
God's Creative Work
Les emphasizes that God creates a new nature within the believer at the moment of belief, making them a new creation.
Conditional Salvation
Les stresses that being a new creation is conditional on being in Christ, and it is a work of God, not human effort.
New Nature Cannot Sin
Les teaches that the new creation imparts a divine nature that cannot sin, though the old flesh remains to cause struggles.
Regeneration and Justification
Les connects being a new creation with God's work of regeneration and justification, all part of the plan of salvation.
Why the Gospels Aren't for the Church — 2 Corinthians 5
And what I really intended to do is when we went into Colossians and I said we are in the Kingdom, we are members of the Kingdom, our citizenship is in Heaven. All right, now what's our position then as citizens in Heaven, but living here on the earth? Well, here it is. Read on. Verse 17, "...therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation.
Holy Spirit's Role
Les explains that the Holy Spirit places believers into Christ, and God performs a work of creation in the invisible realm, making them a new creation.
2 Corinthians 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.
This is the key verse directly answering the question, defining the new creation.
Galatians 6:15: For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
This verse reinforces that the new creation is the essential identity in Christ.
Yes, Les teaches that at the moment of belief, God does a work of creation, giving the believer a new nature. It is an instantaneous act of God, not a gradual process.
Les explains that the new nature imparted by God is divine and cannot sin. However, the believer still has the old flesh, which can sin, so there is a continuing struggle.
Watch the Teaching: How Are We Reconciled to God? 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 Explained