2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
When we take a look at our lifestyles, one thing becomes clear: It doesn't matter how long we've been a Christian, we're still sinners and we'll probably still be sinners until the day we die. So, are we really new creations?
God can truly work in mysterious ways, and one of the mysteries that God wants to make clear to us is how He brings about transformation in our lives. To understand the process of transformation, we must understand that we exist, though as one being, but also as three beings at the same time: We exist as body, soul and spirit.
The moment that we put our faith in Christ, we experience a spiritual renewal that takes over our broken and dead spirit and brings it back to life. This is called the process of justification.
2 Corinthians speaks to us of this process, that as we come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, our spirits are renewed and are now cleansed of all guilt and shame.
However, even though are spirits are instantly renewed by the finished work of the cross, we are still faced with the problem of having broken bodies and souls.
This is what Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians 3:3: "For you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?"
When we come to Jesus, our spirits are made new. But in the midst of all that wonderful change and transformation, we still exist as beings with broken souls and bodies.
The body refers to the physical being, desires and needs of a person. The soul is the heart and mind of a person. We all know for a fact that we all still have problems with our bodies, hearts and minds. That's why Paul calls us to renew our minds (Romans 12:2). But as we constantly surrender to God in these areas, we allow God to work progressively in us. This is called the process of sanctification.
Titus 2:11-12 says, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age."
God's sanctification process leads us to progressively be free from the presence of sin and struggles in our lives. We may never attain full perfection on earth, but we can continue to press on to become transformed.
