Golden Text: 2 Corinthians 5: 1 – 4
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
EXPOSITION:
Thus far, we have used three examples in the old testament as allegories of the new creature. First, Isrealites leaving Egypt and crossing the red sea. Second, Jacob leaving Laban and becoming Isreal. Thirdly Isaac being offered on the mount.
In all these instances, the similarities are, they all experienced death, they all resurrected, and their experiences after these experiences changed because their status in the spirit changed. But none of them changed physically. Even for Jacob, whose name was changed, some people still call him Jacob after that day. Because men generally only see the physical, it takes a man who can see as God sees to accurately decipher the new creature. That’s why you shouldn’t be bothered by anyone who is still describing you by your old nature, irrespective of the title the person may hold. And make sure, you reject every thought to see yourself as the old man.
In order to appreciate the new creature, you must understand from God’s words that man is a spirit. And the evidence to that abounds in the bible.
As examples: in our opening text, the body was referred to as our earthly house- a building, tabernacle or a cloth. It says further that the reason you have a body so that you won’t be naked. Furthermore, the opening text identifies that there are two types of houses we can stay- earthly house or heavenly house.
This means that the real man is what is living in the body. Your body isn’t you. Even when a man ‘dies’, he only changed house address. The inner man also called the spirit, who is the one that changed address as described in our opening text is the real you.
So, when the old man died, it was spirit affairs and physical eyes did not see it. When the new man (the new creature) was born, it was also spiritual Nevertheless, it happened. There is a new tenant in this house called the body.
It was in that thought, that brought Apostle Paul in our opening text to later say this profound statement:
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh:……Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
The key to appreciate the new creature is to know no man after the flesh. Don’t see human as body. Don’t see them like natural men. See them as spirit.
Then, you will be able to know that indeed “any man in Christ is a new creature”
By: Ebenezer Odufuwa.
Bible in a Year: Esther 5-8.
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