“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he or she is a new creation. The old you has passed away; behold, you new has come,” 2 Corinthians 5:17.
When we start a new life, we move from the old place of life to a new place in Christ. We are changed completely because it is Christ who is doing good work in us. He comes in and moves away the old man [self] replaced by the new man [life]. This is God building a new foundation within you. You’re at a place where you are standing firm in God. Your old man wavered against God, but your new man became submissive to God. When you really want this new life, you will let go of your past and you will yield your total being to the Lord. You are no longer remembering the former things, nor are you considering the old things. This is when the Holy Spirit can come in and do a new thing in you where you have a ‘spiritual experience’ and a ‘defining experience’ where there is a determination to your new life in Christ.
The new birth is the work of the Holy Spirit in you. The Holy Spirit forgives you of your sins and prepares you for good works. The Holy Spirit leads us to confession and repentance of our sins to where we are removed from the penalty of our sins.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift [new life] of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord,” Romans 6:23.
When you come to a place where you want this new life, this new birth, no one has to tell you about your sins. You know them and when you have had enough of it, you will change. When you’re ready for this new life, this new lifestyle, this radical change, this transformation within your heart, you will make the necessary changes. Now you’re ready to live and occupy this new life that you will live out each and every day of your life. You will live and not die anymore to your old man [self].
“To put off the old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness,” Ephesians 4:22-24.
When you put off these things, then you have discovered the new you.
