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Response
In the initial episode of the TV series The Chosen, Mary Magdalene shares with Jewish religious leader Nicodemus the profound change she underwent upon encountering Jesus Christ: “I used to be one way, and now I am entirely different. And what caused this transformation was Him.” This impactful moment was inspired by the apostle Paul’s teaching that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” «Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. », (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV).
When an individual encounters Jesus Christ and accepts Him as their Lord and Savior, that person is now “in Christ,” united with Jesus in His death and resurrection: “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” «Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. », (Romans 6:4). We are transformed into a completely new creation in Jesus Christ «For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. », (Galatians 6:15). Our “previous way of life,” or “old self,” which was “corrupted by its deceitful desires” «that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; », (Ephesians 4:22).
One way, as Mary described it in the television series, was the “old self.” However, the “new self” in Christ, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” «and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. », (Ephesians 4:24), is entirely different. The Scriptures recount that when Mary Magdalene met Jesus, He expelled seven demons from her (Luke 8:1-3). Freed from this bondage, Mary was transformed into a committed disciple of Christ.
Through our union with Jesus Christ, everything becomes new for those who are born again. Our previous life, once ruled by sin, no longer dictates our actions: “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him” (Romans 6:5-8;NLT).
The concept of everything becoming new signifies the initiation of our transformation—our inner renewal and rebirth—that will reach its culmination in the fullness of our salvation to be realized in eternity. The death and resurrection of our Savior introduced a glimpse of an entirely new world that is yet to come: “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” «Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. », (2 Peter 3:13). Ultimately, all of creation will be renewed (Romans 8:19-20;cf: Isaiah 65:17-25).
Paul explained that the Christian’s new self “is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” «and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: », (Colossians 3:10). Through the inner working of the Holy Spirit, believers grow into the image of Christ “with ever-increasing glory” «But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.», (2 Corinthians 3:18). God promises to give us a new, undivided heart, removing our “heart of stone” and replacing it with a “heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 11:19;Ezekiel 36:26). “And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws” «And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. », (Ezekiel 36:27). The changes begin in the heart but then spill out to our behavior «And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. », (Romans 12:2).
Paul explained that these changes don’t happen through our own force of will and self-effort (Philippians 3:4-9) but through living by faith in Christ: “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. SoI live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” «I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. », (Galatians 2:20, NLT).
For believers, all things have become new in us and in our relationships with other people. We now look at unbelievers with compassion, seeing them as Christ saw them—“like sheep without a shepherd” or as lost sinners in need of a Savior «But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. », (Matthew 9:36). No matter how different they may be, we recognize fellow Christians as part of one united body—the new creation: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28;see also Romans 12:5).
All things have become new through our union with Christ, and we no longer live for ourselves «and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. », (2 Corinthians 5:15). To the new creation in Christ, Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35). Instead of living to please ourselves, we now live toPlease, follow Christ, serve Him (2 Corinthians 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1), and consider the welfare of others (Philippians 2:3-4; Galatians 6:2).
