New Creature

March 30

New Creature
kainos ktisis
Here is another expression that describes our new life in Christ. As mentioned on January 1, while neos (G2537) refers to something new in time, something that recently has come into existence, kainos (G2537) refers to something new in quality, as it would be distinguished from something that is old and worn out.

In Classical Greek, ktisis (G2937) meant the act of creation, the created thing, or the result of the act. It (and the verb ktizō, G2936) was often used in the Septuagint to translate the Hebrew bara (H1254) “to create from nothing.”

While there is today a debate over so-called Lordship Salvation, such controversy is unfortunate, because the real issue boils down to one simple principle: When Christ comes into your life, your life changes. God’s Word everywhere declares that a change is automatic when someone truly believes.

One of the greatest examples of this principle appears in Act_19:8-10, where we read that Paul encountered many “hardened” (sklērunō, G4645, to make hard or stiff) hearts while preaching the Gospel in the synagogue for three months.

But there were also those in Ephesus who believed. As Act_19:18-20 recount, the Gospel turned Ephesus on its ear. It changed that society.

Those who were involved in occult practices burned their books on spells, sorcery, and other such things. Their life change was dramatically demonstrated by the value of those books.

Five thousand pieces of silver today would be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. We’re reminded here of how even some Christians today ignorantly dabble in such things as horoscopes and Ouija boards, things that ought to be burned.

Act_19:23-29 go on to say that believers no longer invested money in pagan practices or paraphernalia, which was a devastating blow to local commerce. Silversmiths were being driven out of business because people no longer bought silver shrines of Diana, which were household idols.

Paul’s statement that these were “no gods” at all and the stir churned up by the silversmiths combined to trigger a riot. So serious was the situation that there was the danger of Diana worship being destroyed altogether.

That is what the Gospel does. It changes lives. If one chooses to call this “Lordship Salvation,” so be it, but the fact is: True conversion means true change-a Transformed life

Christianity is not a creed, code, or a system of ethics. Christianity is a life, a new reality that comes when we trust Christ as Savior and Lord.

Scriptures for Study: How many NT examples can you list where a change of life was clearly evident after salvation?

 
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