2 Corinthians 5:17 English Standard Version (ESV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Most of us come up out of our baptism feeling emotions that range from gratitude to acceptance. What we don’t feel is new. We have the same memories, temptations, ailments, relationships and a host of personal problems. We don’t yet have a clear awareness of what really changed.

What makes us a new creation is the indwelling spirit that is given as counselor, companion and our eyes and ears to a life with Christ. So many comparisons have been made about being a babe in Christ. Understand that this spiritual life is in many ways just like being born. That is why Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again.

Paul told us in Romans that we should consider ourselves dead to sin. That is an awareness of our new life in Christ in which we are no longer sold under sin. Like a dead body, we do not have to respond to its presence. We can respond but shouldn’t, that is why we are to consider it. Sadly while sin has lost its sting, it has not gone away. It still hangs around as a constant reminder that we are not translated into His glorious form. That comes later, after we join Him in the air.

Meanwhile we are tempted and struggle. It takes time for us to learn how to accept help from the Holy Spirit. Adjusting to this new life takes time. We try to help each other during these struggles. We disciple one another. We teach and encourage one another from our human perspective but it is the Holy Spirit that does the real work of conforming us into a likeness of Christ.

Making decision for ourselves is what got us in trouble in our old life. Obedience of faith is the only avenue for real change.