Behold, all things have become new!

Behold, all things have become new!

(Albert Barnes, 1798-1870)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
  he is a new creation;
  old things have passed away;
  behold, all things have become new!”
2 Corinthians 5:17

1. “He is a new creation”
In the conversion of a sinner a change is produced so great as to make it proper to say that he is a new creation of God–a work of Divine power as decided and as glorious as when God created all things out of nothing!

This change is so deep, so clear, so radical, and so abiding, that it is proper to say that he is a new man. He has . . .
  new views,
  new motives,
  new principles,
  new objects and plans of life.

He seeks new purposes, and he lives for new ends.

2. “Old things have passed away”
Their former prejudices, opinions, habits, attachments–pass away.
Their supreme love of self passes away.
Their love of sin passes away.
Their love of the world passes away.
Their supreme attachment to their earthly friends rather than God passes away.
Their love of sin–their sensuality, pride, vanity, levity, ambition–passes away.
There is a deep and radical change on all these subjects–a change which commences at the new birth; which is carried on by progressive sanctification; and which is consummated at death and in Heaven.

3. “Behold, all things have become new!”
The purposes of life,
the feelings of the heart,
the principles of action
–all become new.

The understanding is consecrated to new objects,
the body is employed in new service,
the heart forms new attachments.

All is new! There are . . .
  new views of God, and of Jesus Christ;
  new views of this world, and of the world to come;
  new views of truth, and of duty; and
  everything is seen in a new aspect, and with new feelings.

The Bible seems to be a new book; and though they may have often read it before, yet there is a beauty about it which they never saw before, and which they wonder they have not before perceived.

The whole face of nature seems to them to be changed, and they seem to be in a new world. The hills, and valleys, and streams; the sun, the stars, the groves, the forests–seem to be new. A new beauty is spread over them all; and they now see them to be the work of God, and is glory is spread over them all. They now say, “My Father made them all!” The heavens and the earth are filled with new wonders, and all things seem now to speak forth the praise of God!

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N.B. As the new year begins, you may want to listen to this challenging message on the Christian's use of time by Steve Lawson, “For Time and Eternity!”  LISTEN to audio  Download audio

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