A New Creature in Christ

God’s Word boldly declares, ”I am crucified with Christ: it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…” (Galatians 2:20 NKJV), and “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

You may say, “I know I’m in Christ by faith. I realize I am a new creature, but I still struggle terribly with a habit. It makes me so discouraged.” Satan would love to convince you that God has given up on you. He wants you to think God sees you as dirty, filthy with sin. It's all a lie. What you're experiencing is the flesh battling against the Spirit in you. This battle is common to all believers, and when you're in the middle of it, Satan wants to convince you that the “old man” is still in control.

Here is the truth. No matter what your condition, God does not waver in his love for you. He never stopped loving Adam's race, despite all its wickedness, idolatry and lustful ways. He has preserved us throughout history to the last days when he stepped in with his rescue plan. God made it possible at the cross to redeem every one of us, Adam and all his descendants.

We must stand firm in the knowledge that our standing with God is based on one thing: we are victorious because of the cross. This victory doesn't come through any good thing you or I do. As Paul says, “So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness” (Romans 8:8-10).

Our victory comes solely through repentance, faith, belief and trust in God's care for us. Our part is to stand firmly on the position he has graciously given us in Christ. His Word assures us, “You may fail at times. But when I look at you, I see only my Son, Jesus. You're going to come through this battle victorious, with no guilt and no condemnation.”