2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Philippians 3:6 - For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.
Conclusions:
- In Christ man undergoes a transformation that results in an entirely new being
- Creation again takes place
- In Christ means united with Christ through faith in Him and commitment to Him
- Redemption is the restoration and fulfillment of God's purposes in creation, and this takes place in Christ, through whom all things were made and in whom all things are restored or created anew
- Israel of God is a contrast to Israel according to flesh. The New Testament church, made up of believing Jews and Gentiles, is the new seed of Abraham and the heir according to the promise--though some limit the phrase to Christian Jews
- Circumcision's true, inner meaning is realized only in believers, who worship God with genuine spiritual worship and who glory in Christ as their Savior rather than trusting in their own human effort
- Everyone is a boaster, either in Christ or in himself
- Flesh is weak human nature
- Although the term flesh in Paul's letters often refers to sinful human nature, it speaks in Philippians 3:3 of the frailty of human nature: It is not worthy of our confidence; it cannot save
Application:
- Have you been transformed into an entirely new being?
- Are you united with Christ through faith and commitment to Him?
- Do you worship God with genuine spiritual worship? Do you glory in Christ as your Savior?
Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible
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