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QUESTION 36
In 2 Corinthians 5:17 it reads, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." When I was saved all the old things didn't pass away. Can you explain why?

ANSWER:
A very perplexing and disturbing problem for you. Many doubt their salvation because they do not understand this verse.

The word "he is" is in italics, which means it was not in the original scriptures. The word "creature" is translated elsewhere as "creation." What this verse is really saying is this, if a person is really in Christ he or she is in a new creation. In this NEW CREATION (not in you yet) old things are passed away and all things have become new. Before you were saved you were in the "old creation" of which Adam was the federal head. When you got saved you were moved from the old to the new creation, of which Christ is the Head.

In this new creation there is nothing of the old. It is all new. Colossians 1:13 says, we were "translated" (transported) from the kingdom of darkness (old) and into the kingdom of His dear Son. Again, In Adam all died (that is the old creation) in Christ all shall be made alive (this is the new) - 1 Corinthians 15:22.

It is not all the old things in your life that is in view. It is the things of the old creation. The old things in your life should leave as you grow in the Lord, but will not be completely gone until Christ comes to perfect that which is lacking in us. Philippians 1:6.

The main thing is to make sure you are trusting Christ alone for your salvation. Anything less or more is not trusting Him. "Believe (rely, depend) on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved," Acts 16:31.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen