Yes—when we are in Christ, we become a new creation; old things pass away and all things become new.
According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, being in Christ results in a new creation. Les Feldick explains that God imparts a new divine nature while the old Adamic nature is considered crucified with Christ. We still have the old flesh, but God sees believers clothed in Christ's righteousness. This is a work of God's power, not our own doing.
2 Corinthians 5:17 — This is the verse the question asks about, and it directly states that in Christ we are a new creation with old things passed away and all things become new.
The Bible says in 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 directly states that being in Christ results in a creation that is new, with the old things having passed away and all things becoming new. The following verse, 2 Corinthians 5:18, says, "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation." This verse shows that the entire work of reconciliation and making all things new comes from God.
Les Feldick teaches that being "in Christ" is a positional truth that happens at salvation. We are placed into Christ by being baptized into His body, and we are hidden in God. At that moment, God imparts a new divine nature that cannot sin because it is placed there by an act of God. The old Adamic nature is considered crucified and dead, but the old flesh still remains and can trip us up. Les emphasizes that this new creation is a work of God's power, not human effort. Because we are in Christ, God clothes us with the righteousness of Christ, so when God looks at us, He sees Christ. The evidence of this new creation is a total change in lifestyle, as old things pass away and all things become new.
Les Feldick teaches that being "in Christ" is a positional term. It refers to a person who has been baptized into the body of Christ and is now hidden in God (Clip 2). It means we are literally clothed with the righteousness of Christ, so that when God looks at us, He sees Christ (Clip 7).
Les explains that just as soon as the old nature is crucified with Christ, it is put to death and defeated, and God puts a new nature opposite it (Clip 7). This new nature is divine and cannot sin (Clip 1). However, we still have the old flesh and old Adam that can trip us up (Clip 1, Clip 6).
Les teaches that our salvation is a work of creation—a work of the power of God (Clip 2). It happens as a result of our salvation experience and all that God has done on our behalf (Clip 3). Paul says, "All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:18).
Les says the evidence of salvation is a total change in lifestyle—old things have changed (Clip 4). He also explains that we are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, under His control instead of old Adam, provided the Holy Spirit dwells in us (Clip 6).
Crucified With Christ: What It Means to Be a New Creation (Romans 6 & Galatians 2)
Who was it? It was Christ. It was the Lord Jesus in His Old Testament personality. He was the Creator. He was the Creator God. He is the Omnipotent, Omniscient, All-Knowing God. And if He'd been anything less than that, then His death would be for nothing. Then He would have died just like the thief on either side. But He was the Creator. He was the God of glory.
New Divine Nature vs. Old Flesh
Les explains that in Christ, God imparts a new divine nature that cannot sin, but we still have the old flesh that can trip us up.
New Creation as a Work of God
Les emphasizes that our salvation is a work of creation and God's power, and that being in Christ is a positional term referring to being baptized into His body.
New Creation as a Result of Salvation
Les connects 2 Corinthians 5:17 to our salvation experience and all that God has done on our behalf, including reconciliation and the ministry of reconciliation.
Evidence of Salvation
Les says the evidence of salvation is a total change in lifestyle, with old things having changed.
Romans 6 & The Old Man Crucified With Christ — Finally Explained
Old Adam has to die, and we have to be separated from Him, even as His three days and three nights signified that Christ was really dead. Now, verse 4, reading on, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so.
In the Spirit, Not in the Flesh
Les explains that as believers we are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, under His control instead of old Adam, conditional on the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.
Clothed With Christ's Righteousness
Les teaches that being in Christ means we are clothed with Christ's righteousness, so God sees Christ when He looks at us.
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 about what happens when we are in Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:18: And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
This verse shows that the entire process of making all things new and reconciliation is God's work.
Being "in Christ" is a positional term. It means we are placed into the body of Christ by baptism, hidden in God, and clothed with His righteousness so that God sees Christ when He looks at us.
No, the old flesh still remains and can cause us to stumble. But in God's sight, the old Adamic nature is crucified with Christ, and He places a new divine nature in us that cannot sin.
No, it is entirely God's work. God is the one who creates the new nature in us and reconciles us to Himself through Jesus Christ.