The New Creation.

We Christians need to think more clearly about the Divine redemption. The Divine redemption occurs in two major phases. The first phase is that of forgiveness. Our forgiveness was authorized by the blood atonement made on the cross of Calvary. The first phase authorizes us to enter the second phase. We need only believe and receive our forgiveness in order to participate in the first phase.

The second phase of redemption is that of personality transformation, that is, to be transformed into the image of God, the image of Christ. The second phase takes place over a period of time and requires our cooperation. It is not just a matter of believing and receiving.

(1/28/2007) It may be true that the Christian churches of our day are concerned principally with the first phase of the Divine redemption, that is, with our forgiveness. Forgiveness is preached regularly and vigorously on a worldwide basis.

However, God is concerned principally with the second phase. A forgiven creation is of little use to God until it has been freed from the compulsions of sins and filled with the Lord Jesus Christ. However, one could conclude from today's preaching and hymnology that there is no second phase—at least not a second phase that is clear-cut and capable of being applied in a practical manner. At least the second phase of transformation is not nearly as important as the first phase of forgiveness, we assume.

Let's do some clear thinking. What would a sociologist predict concerning Christian behavior if he knew Christians believe their redemption consists primarily of a perpetual forgiveness, with minimal attention being given to transformation of character? He would predict that the believers would behave in the same way as the unbelievers. He would, of course, be correct.

So it may be true in America that the rank and file of Christian people behave as do the unsaved. This means there is no testimony. This means the secular society, including our governmental leaders, have no example of moral character to follow. This precisely is true of America today. The Christian testimony is too weak to affect our populace. The manner in which the national elections are being pursued reveals cynicism and skullduggery at the highest level.

What does the New Testament say about redemption? It says if any man be in Christ he is a new creation, not a forgiven creation. Old things have passed away. All is new and of God. This definition of being in Christ hardly seems limited to forgiveness.

How, then, do we become a new creation? We become a new creation by being born again. What does this mean?

When we by faith receive Jesus Christ as our Lord, God plants a piece of Himself in us. This piece is made alive by the Holy Spirit. From then on we have two personalities. The first personality was descended from Adam. The second personality was descended from God.

The second personality is strong and familiar. The first personality is an embryo; then a fetus. If we deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow the Lord Jesus at all times, that which begins as a seed will come to term as a new creation in the image of the Parent (God) from whom it came.

Keeping this in mind, we see how necessary it is that we live in such a manner that the developing Life in us is brought to maturity. When Christ comes to maturity in us, then we are a mature son of God and a brother of the Lord Jesus. To this we have been destined.

The mystery of the Gospel is Christ in us. Throughout Church history to the present day, the emphasis in our preaching and hymns is Christ with us. He is our Lord who will return and be with us.

However, the mystery of the Gospel is not Christ with us. It is Christ in us. Obviously, these are two distinctly different matters.

The righteousness of God, as we have pointed out, comes to us in two phases. First in forgiveness. Then in personality transformation.

It is true also that the experience of Christ in us comes in two phases.

The first phase of Christ in us is the transformation of our personality that occurs as Christ is formed in us. The second phase of Christ in us is the coming of the Father and the Son to dwell in that which has been formed in us.

It is the Father's intention to make us His eternal Temple, His Throne, the essence of Heaven, we might say. But the Father will not dwell in our first personality. The Father will dwell only in Christ. Christ is the eternal Temple of God, the Throne of God, the Essence of Heaven. Isn't it so?

Therefore, in order for God to dwell in us, to make us His eternal Temple, His Throne, the essence of Heaven, Christ must be formed in us. God will dwell only in Christ. Christ must be formed in us so God can find rest in the new creation that has been formed in us. The new creation in actuality is neither us nor Christ, but a creation formed from the eternal blend of Christ and us. Thus it is Christ, but it is true also that we are included and our individuality, our uniqueness, is marvelously enhanced. The new creation is Christ to such an extent that God will dwell in it and give His Glory to it without giving His glory to another.

It is Ezekiel's wheel in the middle of the wheel: God is in Christ who is in us who are in Christ who is in God. This is the new Jerusalem. This is the headquarters of the Kingdom of God.

I think eternal relationships are being formed in our day. If such be the case, choose carefully the social environment in which you wish to live forever. There are some who have an insatiable thirst for God. There are some not as desirous of God, and so on down the line. Choose your group carefully. Make sure this is the society you enjoy. Perhaps we cannot change at a later time.