“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).
An important Biblical principle regarding the sins of the past and our new relationship with God in Christ is found here in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “…anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (NLT). So what are some of those attitudes, behaviors, and characteristics of the “old life” that have passed away? Well, the following list from Galatians 5:19-21 offers some examples…
- sexual immorality (AMP)
- moral impurity (CSB)
- promiscuity (GW)
- worshiping false gods (NLV)
- drug use (CSB)
- involvement with the occult (CJB)
- hating people (ERV)
- arguing (Voice)
- jealousy (RSV)
- outbursts of anger (NLT)
- selfishness (CEB)
- conflicts (ISV)
- divisions (ESV)
- envy (NIV)
- murder (TLB)
- drunkenness (NET)
- wild partying, and similar things (NTE)
These examples represent a few of the things that are crucified to death with Christ whenever someone accepts Jesus’ substitionary death as payment for his or her sins. Nevertheless, we should recognize that the process of overcoming such behaviors may be progressive in nature.
We use the word “sanctification” to describe that process, a term that refers to “the act or process by which people or things are cleansed and dedicated to God…” (1) As we prayerfully seek God’s help in overcoming inappropriate behaviors and thought patterns, we subsequently grow in holiness, or God-like character.
Of course, it may be easy to become frustrated or depressed during this spiritual growth process, especially during those periods where it doesn’t seem as if we are making much progress. If we should ever slip back into those old behavioral patterns that characterized our lives before we met Jesus, the New Testament book of 1 John tells us how we should respond: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV).
Philippians 3:13-14 also provides us with some excellent counsel in this regard: “…I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (NLT). This does not mean that we should deny, excuse, or ignore the mistakes of the past but it does mean that God has provided a way to permanently eradicate such things through Jesus’ sacrificial death. As we’re told in the Biblical book of Romans…
“We know that the person we used to be was crucified with him to put an end to sin in our bodies. Because of this we are no longer slaves to sin. The person who has died has been freed from sin” (Romans 6:6-7 GW).
(1) New Dictionary of Theology, (Leicester/ Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity, 1988) pg. 613