Two kinds of people live in this world. Most don’t even know it. The other (smaller) group knows, but often forgets. Yet, the fact is of the greatest importance—for many reasons. Indeed, everything that the one group thinks or does differs from the other group. Beyond the fact that they are both physically alive, they are even different creations!
“That’s nonsense,” you may be tempted to say.
Granted, it is unusual to think or talk in that manner. But it’s true, and I’d like to explain.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, the apostle Paul wrote
If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.
The Christian is a new creation of God. Yes, like all others who are not believers, he too was physically created. But because of what God has done through the saving work of Jesus Christ he has become a new spiritual creation as well. He is a creature who belongs to another world as well as this one, who holds primary allegiance to a King Who rules him from the heavens, and who has new power through His Holy Spirit to live above the sin that once ruled his life.
Now, if you are one of these new creatures of God, you have a responsibility to live according to the new ways you are capable of living. The power and authority of the old ways over you has been broken; you now have new desires and abilities to please God that you did not possess before. Your purposes and your ideals are quite distinct. You have little in common.
The question is, does anyone you know—besides another new creation like yourself—have even the slightest idea that you are what you have become in Christ? People should. Your language, your actions and your decisions made on the basis of all that you have become, ought to be so different, in proper, biblical ways, that he cannot but notice the fact that something about you is radically different. And it is precisely when one notices the difference that you have an opportunity to talk seriously with your unbelieving acquaintance about the way of salvation.
Think about it—you are a different kind of creation; let the world know it by living the life you are capable of living for Jesus Christ.