21 THE TRANSITION
THE TRANSITION "Old things are passed away! Behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17 The change that takes place in conversion to God is very great; it has even been questioned, whether the change from grace to glory, is so great as the change from nature to grace. We can scarce conceive of a greater change than the new creation of the soul, when all within and all without is changed, as says the apostle, "Old things are passed away! Behold, all things are become new." To the regenerated soul, to the man that is in Christ, "Old things are passed away." The old STATE passes away:
He was in a state of condemnation — but he is now justified.
He was under law — he is now under grace.
He was a child of wrath — he is now an object of God’s highest love. The old PRINCIPLES pass away:
He was under the legal covenant, and was influenced by fear.
He is now under the new covenant, and is influenced by love. The old DISPOSITION passes away:
He was once carnal, he is now spiritual.
He had the disposition of the slave, he has now the disposition of the loving child. The old CHARACTER passes away:
He was God’s enemy, as living in sin; but he has now put off the old man with his deeds: and has put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. The old CONNECTION passes away:
He comes out of the world, becomes distinct from the world, and is connected with the church in its privileges and duties.
Thus "old things are passed away," he is not what he once was — but has passed through a thorough and abiding change. To him, "All things are become new."
There is a new FEDERAL HEAD; he is no longer represented by the first Adam — but the second; he is not connected with Adam — but with Christ.
There is a new PARADISE; with its flowers and fruits, its flowing river, and tree of life. The privileges of the gospel form a paradise now; and introduce to a yet more glorious one to come.
There is a new COVENANT; not of works — but of grace:
A better covenant, established on better promises. An everlasting covenant, which shall never give place to another. A covenant that provides . . .
a Substitute, to undertake our responsibilities,
a Surety, to pay our debts,
a Mediator, to officiate between us and God. A covenant ordered in all things and sure.
There is a new RULE of life; for the law goes forth from Zion — a law embodied in Jesus, represented by Jesus, and illustrated by the life of Jesus. True, it embodies in itself all that is moral in the Bible — but it descends to all the relations, duties, and circumstances of every-day life. A rule so perfect, so comprehensive, and so plain — that we cannot need a fuller, or clearer, or additional one.
There are new RELATIONSHIPS; all things stand in a new relation to the believer.
God is his Father.
Jesus is his Brother. The Holy Spirit is his Teacher, Guide, and Comforter. The angels are his guard, and servants. The earth is to him a wilderness.
Heaven is his home. The believer stands in a new RELATION to all things.
He is God’s child.
He is the Savior’s servant.
He is the Spirit’s temple.
He is the angel’s charge.
He is to the world — a witness and reprover.
He is Satan’s foe.
There are new EXPERIENCES. The believer has . . .
new desires and wishes,
hopes and fears,
new joys and sorrows,
new conflicts and conquests,
new griefs and pleasures.
"Behold, all things are become new."
He is in a new WORLD, and to him the Bible is a new BOOK, prayer is a new EXERCISE, and fellowship with the saints, a new EMPLOYMENT. He hears a new LANGUAGE, understands new SUBJECTS, pursues new OBJECTS, and lives a new LIFE. He can say with Paul, "The life that I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
He lives to Christ.
He lives for Christ.
He lives like Christ.
He is preparing to live with Christ.
Reader, have you experienced this great and solemn change? The question is momentous. Can you be new created — and not know it? Can you pass from death unto life — and not know it? Can you be in Christ — and not know it? Can you be a new creature — and not know it? Have old things passed away, and all things become new — and not know it!
We cannot conceive of this! The transition may be so gentle, so gradual, that you may be in some doubt about it; but if you examine your tastes, your desires, your general state of mind; and if you compare the present with the past, you must know something about it. Do not rest satisfied with any uncertainty upon the point: but seek the witness of the Holy Spirit, and by close communion with God, and put the matter out of doubt. Do you enjoy your privileges? Are you living as a new creature? Are you walking in newness of life? Do you realize that you are in a justified state, entitled to all new covenant blessings, and are God’s beloved and accepted child? Greater privileges, if you are in Christ, you cannot have — but enjoy them more than you do — you may. Have you avowed the transition? Does the church know that you have passed from death to life, that you are in Christ, that to you all things are become new? Have you professed Christ, and publicly put him on before the world? If you have not — you should. The light that is in you, should not be put under a bushel — but on a candlestick. Your light should shine, that by your profession of Christ, by your imitation of Christ, and by the entire consecration of yourself and all you have to the glory and honor of Christ, men may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.