- Being a creature of God isn’t enough to make us children of God. Nor is being made in His image. Being made children of God occurs through regeneration and adoption. In order to become children of God, we have to believe in Jesus – be in Christ (How Are We Made New Creations?).
- It is all about being unified with Christ. That happens the moment we choose to have faith (How Are We Made New Creations?).
- Once we are in Christ, we are made a new creation. Yes, we are still in our earthly bodies. We still have our sinful nature. But as new creations, we receive a new disposition. We receive a new character upon conversion (How Are We Made New Creations?).
- This change has to be a complete change — body, mind, and soul. We have new views and new affections. We have to have new boundaries (How Are We Made New Creations?).
- Our heart has to be that of Jesus’. Our mind has to be His mind (How Are We Made New Creations?).
- Sanctification is a process. It has to be a growth process. God has to start with us where we are and work to get our character where we need to be. This is not starting from scratch. It isn’t a instantaneous overhaul. If He did that, free will would go out the window (How Are We Made New Creations?).
- The old is our old physical, sinful self. The new is all about conversion and regeneration (How Are We Made New Creations?).
- Regeneration is a change. That is where the old is eliminated, and the new takes its place (How Are We Made New Creations?).
- Regeneration can be seen as renewing our minds. But God doesn’t just flip a switch, and we are that new creation. It takes work on our part. That work is done as we learn Who God is and what He wants us to be (Learning to be a New Creation).
- As we are pulling in all this new information, we have to decide if we are going to believe it. We have to determine if we believe what we read and hear is the truth. We have to have faith that the Scriptures are true (Learning to be a New Creation).
- When we come to know Jesus, we are called to abandon our previous sinful life. We are to embrace God’s laws and commandments (Learning to be a New Creation).
- We learn about Jesus. In other words, we get to know Him. We establish a relationship (Learning to be a New Creation)
- But this isn’t something we can learn on our own. We can only come to God when He sends the Holy Spirit to call us (Learning to be a New Creation).
- It is fairly easy to make a profession of faith. Well, it is easy to say the words. The next step is a kicker (Learning to be a New Creation).
- Knowledge isn’t enough. Jesus has to change us. We need to divest ourselves of what used to be. God will show us what needs to be changed. No, God won’t bop us over the head — unless we need it. He will correct us through love (Learning to be a New Creation).