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2 Corinthians 5:17 - Becoming Friends With God (Reconciliation).

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he 
is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 

2 Corinthians 5:17 (CWR)  Anyone who is born again in Christ is 
a new creation. Old values have passed away and new values have 
taken over.  

2 Corinthians 5:17 (CWB)  If anyone accepts Christ into his 
life, he's remade from within.  Old values pass away and new values 
take over.  He is a new and different person! 

WORD STUDY

Textual evidence favors the omission of the words "all things," 
[SDA Bible Commentary] 

APPLICATION COMMENTARY

This new nature is not the product of moral virtue presumed by 
some to be inherent in man, and requiring only growth and expression. 
There are thousands of so-called moral men who make no profession of 
being Christians, and who are not "new" creatures. The new nature is 
not merely the product of a desire, or even of a resolution, to do 
right (Rom. 7:15-18), of mental assent to certain doctrines, of an 
exchange of one set of opinions or feelings for another, or even of 
sorrow from sin. It is the result of the presence of a supernatural 
element introduced into a man, which results in his dying to sin and 
being born again. [SDA Commentary] 

Christians are brand-new people. The Holy Spirit gives them new 
life, and they are not the same anymore. Christians are not reformed, 
rehabilitated, or reeducated -- they are recreated (a new creation), living in 
vital union with Christ (Col 2:6-7). At conversion, believers are not 
merely turning over a new leaf; they are beginning a new life under a 
new Master. (Life Application Commentary) 

Only "in Christ" can a sinner find acceptance with God (Phil. 
3:9) and sustenance for living the new life (John 15:4, 5; Gal 2:20). 
The joys and sorrows, triumphs and sufferings, of life are all "in 
Christ" (Rom. 14:17; Phil. 3:9, 10). Even death is robbed of its sting, 
for those who "die in the Lord" are blessed (Rev. 14:13). 
Christianity elevates every human experience and obligation into a new 
relationship, designated by the term "in Christ." [SDA Commentary] 

When the Spirit of God controls mind and heart, the converted 
soul breaks forth into a new song; for he realizes that in his 
experience the promise of God has been fulfilled, AA476-7 

Consider, says Jesus, how the lilies grow; how, springing from 
the cold, dark earth, or from the mud of the river bed, the plants 
unfold in loveliness and fragrance.  Who would dream of the 
possibilities of beauty in the rough brown bulb of the lily?  But when the 
life of God, hidden therein, unfolds at His call in the rain and the 
sunshine, men marvel at the vision of grace and loveliness. Even so will 
the life of God unfold in every human soul that will yield itself to 
the ministry of His grace, which, free as the rain and the sunshine, 
comes with its benediction to all.  It is the word of God that creates 
the flowers, and the same word will produce in you the graces of His 
Spirit. MB97 

One of the tests for determining if the work of salvation in 
your life is genuine is - has God changed the things that really 
matter to you? If you are born again, the Spirit of God makes the 
change very evident in your life and thought. It is this complete and 
amazing change that is the very evidence that you are saved. [In His 
Time; My Utmost For His Highest] 

If the heart has been renewed by the Spirit of God, the life 
will bear witness to the fact.... A change will be seen in the 
character, the habits, the pursuits. The contrast will be clear and decided 
between what they have been and what they are. The character is 
revealed, not by occasional good deeds and occasional misdeeds, but by the 
tendency of the habitual words and acts.  
It is true that there may be an outward correctness of 
deportment without the renewing power of Christ. The love of influence and 
the desire for the esteem of others may produce a well-ordered life. 
Self-respect may lead us to avoid the appearance of evil. A selfish heart may 
perform generous actions. By what means, then, shall we determine whose 
side we are on?  
Who has the heart? With whom are our thoughts? Of whom do we 
love to converse? Who has our warmest affections and our best 
energies? If we are Christ's, our thoughts are with Him, and our sweetest 
thoughts are of Him. All we have and are is consecrated to Him. We long 
to bear His image, breathe His spirit, do His will, and please Him 
in all things.  
Those who become new creatures in Christ Jesus will bring forth 
the fruits of the Spirit, "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, 
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." Galatians 5:22, 23. They 
will no longer fashion themselves according to the former lusts, but 
by the faith of the Son of God they will follow in His steps, 
reflect His character, and purify themselves even as He is pure. The 
things they once hated they now love, and the things they once loved 
they hate. SC57-9   

Moses made a life-changing decision on that day he renounced his 
old life and identified with God's family.  His environment changed; 
his circle of friends changed; his life-style changed; his 
opportunities changed; and his future changed - forever. Not many of us 
realized that, at the time of our conversion, all of these same things 
changed for us, too.  Or did they?  What difference has accepting Christ 
really made in your life?  Can you list any sacrifices that resulted?  
Have you suffered at all, in any area?  Have relationships changed 
since that time?  If nothing has changed in your life, then it is 
likely that what you experienced was not a conversion experience.  
Think about it.  [In His Time Walk With Wisdom re Heb.11:24,25] 

The new believer is not born a full-grown, mature Christian; he 
first has the spiritual inexperience and immaturity of infancy. But as 
a son of God he does have the privilege and opportunity to grow up 
into the full stature of Christ. [SDA Commentary] 

When you put your trust in Christ to save you, he made you a new 
creation. You look the same on the outside, but on the inside--in your 
heart--you have been transformed. You may say, "I don't feel that much 
different. In fact, I don't even act that much different." You may wonder 
if maybe this new faith "didn't take" somehow, or if you missed out 
on something.  
You didn't miss anything. Just as a person grows 
physically--growth that is imperceptible from day to day--so it 
is with spiritual 
 growth. You are just now beginning the spiritual growth process. It's 
going to take some time and you may not see big changes on a daily 
basis. But over the course of time, you'll begin to see those 
transformations in your life. Through Bible reading and prayer, you will 
discover some changes God wants you to make or areas of service to which 
he is calling you. As you respond to him, you will get to know him 
better. And you will grow as a result. The desire to respond to God--to 
sense his leading and obey him--is part of the fruit of salvation. [The 
One Year Bible for New Believers re 2Co.5:17] 

SUMMARY

In Christ i.e. united with Christ through faith in him and 
commitment to him. [NIV SB] 

A believer's life should change, because he or she is being 
transformed into the likeness of Christ (3:18). Instead of living for 
oneself, a believer lives for Christ (v. 15). [Nelson SB] 

The phrase to "be in Christ," evidently means to be united to 
him as the branch is in the vine-- that is, so united to the vine, 
or so in it, as to derive all its nourishment and support from it, 
and to be sustained entirely by it. (Barnes' Notes) 

ILLUSTRATION

After The Gypsy Moth Is Gone
In the northeastern United States there is a small insect called 
the gypsy moth. Those of you who live where the gypsy moth dwells 
don't need to be told about the problems that it causes. 
In spring, when the gypsy moth eggs hatch, there may be billions 
and billions of tiny caterpillars, all of which must eat in order to 
grow up to be gypsy moths. So up the trees they go, and they 
literally eat up the forest. Before long all the leaves of every tree have 
been devoured by the insatiable appetites of the hordes of 
caterpillars. I have seen entire mountains in New York and Massachusetts where 
it looked like winter--even worse, because there weren't even any 
evergreen trees with leaves. 
Caterpillars that find enough leaves to eat so that they make it 
through the caterpillar stage are the lucky ones. But for the rest, when 
all the leaves are gone, there is no more food. They let themselves 
down from the trees on a strand of silk, and when they reach the 
ground they go off in search of a tree with leaves. The caterpillars 
may become so thick on the ground that you can't walk without 
stepping on them. One day in June, 1981, there were so many swarming over 
the railroad tracks that the trains couldn't get up a hill in 
Massachusetts. But when there aren't any more trees with leaves, all the 
caterpillars die looking for food. What happens to the woods after the 
caterpillars are all gone? The trees look dead. 
Then a miracle happens on some trees. Tiny buds appear, and new 
leaves come forth. It looks like spring again. Before long the trees 
are covered again with living green leaves. 
Sometimes we are tempted to feel that our lives have been so 
messed up by things even little things--that the future looks bleak. But 
the same Creator who brings life to the apparently hopeless woods 
can come into our lives, and "Behold, all things are become new." 
Isn't He wonderful! [Glimpses Of God's Love by J & P Tucker] 

RELATED THOUGHTS

Christ gives man no encouragement to think that He will accept a 
patchwork character, made up mostly of self, with a little of Christ. This 
is the condition of the Laodicean church. At first there seems to 
be some of self and some of Christ. But soon it is all of self and 
none of Christ. The root of selfishness is revealed. It continues to 
grow, striking its roots deeper and deeper, till its branches are 
covered with objectionable fruit. Christ looks with pitying tenderness 
on all who have combination characters. Those with such a character 
have a connection with Christ so frail that it is utterly worthless 
6BC1101   

He who has determined to enter the spiritual kingdom will find 
that all the powers and passions of unregenerate nature, backed by 
the forces of the kingdom of darkness, are arrayed against him. Each 
day he must renew his consecration, each day do battle with evil. 
Old habits, hereditary tendencies to wrong, will strive for the 
mastery, and against these he is to be ever on guard, striving in 
Christ's strength for victory. AA476-7 

Matthew 26:41 (NKJV) Watch and pray, lest you enter into 
temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."  

Colossians 3:2 (NKJV) Set your mind on things above, not on 
things on the earth.