Identifying with Christ

Because of Jesus Christ, we don’t have to be stuck with ourselves.

Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
— 2 Corinthians 5:17

All things are become new? That’s right, as far as God is concerned, you are a new creature.

New (kainos): “new (especially in freshness); while neos is properly so with respect to age — new”.

Any past wrongs, any past hurts, any past anything is passed away. To God, you are brand-spanking, out-of-the-box, got that new-human-smell NEW.

As a Christian, everything in the spiritual realm was made new when you were saved, born again of incorruptible seed.

What didn’t change? Well, namely, your walk as a Christian.

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
— Romans 6:4

It’s our walk as Christians that doesn’t change with the new birth. Romans 6:4 (above) implores that we walk (figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary) — go, be occupied with, walk (about)) in newness of life. If we were “new” in our thoughts and actions, we wouldn’t need an exhortation like this.

We have everything we need latent within us to “walk in newness of life”:

To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Emphasis Added)
— Colossians 1:27

There is a distinction then, between walking in newness of life and not — we have a choice:

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (Emphasis Added)
— Romans 8:5

and

Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
— Romans 8:7-10

How do we “walk in newness of life”, be “after the Spirit”, be “in the Spirit”? What does God say?

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Emphasis Added)
— Romans 12:1,2

We have to change our thinking (thoughts lead to actions). The words “be ye transformed” isthe greek word metamorphoo, which is defined as, “to transform (literally or figuratively, “metamorphose”) — change, transfigure, transform“. If you are a science buff or butterfly friend, you’ll notice this word is similar to the word “metamorphosis“, which is what happens when, for example, a caterpillar changes into a butterfly.

That’s the kind of change God is talking about — radical, physically noticeable, old-to-totally-new, change! Where? In our MINDS! We are to “renew” our minds to the Truth — “if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature”.

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof]. (Emphasis Added)
— Romans 13:14

Put on Jesus Christ. Where? In our minds!

With all of our putting on, we are also to put off everything “old”. Anything that could hold us back from our True standing:

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Emphasis Added)
— Ephesians 4:22 – 24

It’s when we renew our minds by putting on the “Christ-factor” in our lives and putting off anything that is contrary to the Truth of God’s Word that we begin to see ourselves as Christ, because that’s how God sees us.

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (Emphasis Added)
— 1 John 4:17

Let’s choose to change our minds about how we see ourselves and live our lives with the available “newness of life“.