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. (text in conjunction with vers. 13-16): — We can attach only four intelligible ideas to the expression "in Christ." 1. In His ever-sustaining energy. This cannot be the idea, inasmuch as Paul uses it to designate the state of a particular class of men; whereas all men, good and bad, live in Him. 2. In His dispensation. Again, as Paul means here the state only of a certain class of men, this cannot be the idea, since all men now during eighteen hundred years have been in Christ in this sense. 3. In His affection. There is propriety in a man saying of his friend, or a loving parent of his child, "He lives in me. He mingles with all my thoughts, sympathies, and plans." In this sense men are verily in Christ. 4. In His character. Without figure, we live in the character of others. The soul of the: artist lives in the genius of his master; that of the pupil in the ideas and mental habits of his admired teacher. The spirit of our heroes, the ideas of our favourite authors, do we not live in them? So all men in a moral sense live either "in Adam," or "in Christ." The selfishness, the carnality, the falseness, and the moral atheism, which came into the world through Adam, form that moral atmosphere which the millions breathe as their vital air. To be "in Christ" is to be so thoroughly impregnated with His ideas, so imbued with His spirit, so inspired with His purposes that our spirits live in Him. This connection is most vital. Hence the Bible teaches that what the foundation is to the building, the fountain to the stream, the root to the tree, the head to the body, Christ is to the good. Now he that is so in Christ is a "new creature," a new man. This man has three things new. I. A NEW IMPERIAL IMPULSE (ver. 14). Love transfigures the lover into the spirit of the object. Now this love in Paul's case became the dominant passion of his being. It carried him on like a resistless torrent. 1. This new governing impulse is incomprehensible to those who possess it not (ver. 13). The apostle under its influence appeared to be mad to some. They saw him brave the greatest perils, etc., and they could not discover the principle which produced this self-sacrificing conduct. It was not ambition, for Paul repudiated power. It was not avarice, for Paul suffered the loss of all things. The world never has understood the principles that rule the truly good. The world did not understand Christ; even His own relations considered Him mad. "The world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not." Love alone can interpret love. 2. Arises from reflection upon the death of Christ. The apostle assumes that "Christ died for all." Now the fact that "Christ died for all," seemed to suggest to the apostle two strong reasons why he should be zealous in the cause of Christ. (1) That the whole world was in a ruined condition. "Then were all dead," in a moral sense. With this view of the world, he felt overwhelmed with the magnitude of his work. (2) That the principle of self-sacrifice is the binding principle of action. "He died for all, that they which live," etc. Selfishness is the death of the world. Christ died to destroy it. II. A NEW SOCIAL STANDARD (ver. 16). "Henceforth" implies that he did once know men after the flesh; that his conduct towards men was once regulated by carnal standards. Such standards, however, Christianity regards as false and evanescent. It estimates man by his righteousness and not by his rank. The fact that this is the true standard serves: 1. As a test by which to try our own religion. What is the kind of sympathy we have with Christ? 2. To guide us in the promotion of Christianity. In our endeavours to convert the world, we are not to inquire if men are rich or poor, etc.; it is sufficient to know that they are men, and that they are morally dead. 3. To indicate the principle on which we should form our friendship with men. It should be not on account of their material condition but of their spiritual character. 4. As a rule to regulate our actions. Paul said, "When it pleased God to reveal His Son in me, I conferred not with flesh and blood." Spiritual considerations not material ones then ruled him; principles not persons became his authorities. III. A NEW SPIRITUAL. HISTORY (ver. 17). In what sense can you call this change a "creation"? 1. It is unlike the first creation in many respects. The first creation — (1) Was the production of something out of nothing. It is not so in the new. No new element or faculty of being is produced; the change is simply in the mode and course of action. When a vessel that has been pursuing her course to some northern port turns directly round and sails to the south there is no change in the vessel, the mariners, or the cargo. The change is simply in the course. (2) Presented no difficulties. The Creator had only to speak and it was done, to command and it stood fast. But in this moral change there are resisting forces — "the world, the flesh, and the devil."(3) There was nothing but direct force. There was no instrumentality. But in this change you must have Divine argument, suasion, example: God did not "strive" to create, but He strives to save. 2. Wherein then is the propriety of representing this moral change as a creation? In both cases there is the production(1) of something new; a new imperial passion, love! This passion for Christ is a new thing in the universe. (2) Of something new by Divine agency. The architect can rear n cathedral, the sculptor can carve from marble, the painter can depict life on his canvas, the machinist can construct engines, but not one of them can create. God alone can create. It is so in this moral change. He alone can produce it. (3) Something new according to a Divine plan. Everything in the universe is formed by plan. The work in the human soul is also so. "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works," etc. "We are predestinated to be conformed to the image of Christ." Conversions are accomplished by plan. We may not know the plan. The architect has the outline of that majestic cathedral which is in course of building: — very few, if any, know of it; he has it in the secrets of his own brain. Still the building under his superintendence is advancing. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, are helping to work his plan. Some are excavating the mountains, and some are ploughing the seas, etc. Very few of the workers are known to each other, yet the act of each helps to work out the plan of the architect. So it is in the moral creation. Heaven, earth, matter, mind, even hell is unwittingly working for it. (4) Something new which develops the Divine glory. The universe is a mirror of God, etc. There is more of His glory seen in the free intellect, the pure sympathies, the lofty aspirations, the refined conscience of one regenerate soul than the whole material universe displays. (5) Something new in n gradual way. According to geology unnumbered ages were taken up in bringing this earth to its present form as a suitable residence for man. So man does not become virtuous and great by a bound; it is by a series of efforts and a course of training. 3. These remarks are sufficient to show the propriety of representing man's moral change as a "creation." It is not, however, the things without that change. Material nature, society, events that pass over him — all may remain the same; but the change is within. His consciousness is changed, and with that all has changed. He looks at the forms of the universe with a new eye, with a new judgment. He looks at all through the medium of a new passion, and all assume new phases. If you would have me admire some fine piece of architecture, or some magnificent painting, inspire me first with a love for the artist. The moment we look at the universe through love to Christ, the Great Architect, it becomes new: the old universe passes away, and new heavens and a new earth appear. Conclusion: Such, then, is what Christianity does for us. What a world this will be when Christianity shall have realised its sublime mission! I rejoice to believe that that period will one day come. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. |
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