New identity (Part 1)
2 Corinthians 5:17-18
By Ysrael De la Cruz

One of the reasons we must remain connected to a church community is because we tend to forget who we are as followers of Jesus. In a Christ-centered community we are constantly reminded who we are, what we are supposed to do and where we are going? Let’s face it, we live in a world in which we battle so many different things internally and externally. At times you may feel like giving up, you may be tempted to stop running the Christian race.
A large number of the country’s population may identify themselves as Christians; but what does it mean to be called Christian? What is a Christian?
The Bible gives us many imageries to help us understand who we are once we choose to follow Jesus. Christians was the name given to the disciples of Jesus. (Acts 11:26) Disciples aka students of Jesus. When the disciples came together, that is what is called the church.
We find lots of metaphors in Scripture to help us understand our identity, who we are once we choose to follow Jesus. One of the those metaphors is a new creation in Christ. 2 Cor.5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has become.
A Christian is someone who is in Christ; someone whose identify is found in Christ.
What does it mean to be in Christ?
IN is a preposition (used to indicate inclusion, location, or position within limits)
In the building, in the car, in the kitchen, bathroom., in the team, in charge, etc.
So every time you read in the Bible in Jesus/ Christ is telling you about your position, your location, your sphere or realm where you are.
Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
Galatians 3:28 here is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

If anyone is in Christ, he/she is a new creation. Being in Christ gives you a new identity. This is who you are now, where you find yourselves.
Before you knew Jesus, you had a different identity. You operated from the sphere or realm of something called, the sinful nature, or the flesh.
Ephesians 2 tells us our previous condition before transitioning to Christ.
Eph.2:1-3
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh a and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

This is the condition or location of all who have not trusted in Jesus for salvation. This is why when you become a Christian, the Bible says you make a transition from death into life, from darkness into life; From the old self, into a new self or (new identity)
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has passed away, the new has come.
The moment you come out of the waters of baptism; you are given this new identity in Jesus.
Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (ESV).

You are a new creation in Jesus, the old you has died, passed away, the newness of life has come in Christ.

It was God’s purpose to make us new; or to create in us a new self or identity. V.18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
It was God’s plan to make us new or give us a new identity; All this is from God.
It was God’s plan to transition us from the old to the new, from darkness into light and from death into life. He provided the way by which people can be made new, a way for people to be saved and be at peace with him. Jesus. His death brought us reconciliation, or restoration to our relationship with our Creator.

Regardless of what you are dealing with in this world, regardless of what goes on in the world. You must remember who you are in Jesus. Your identity is not defined by the world or the government, your identity is made and defined by God himself. You are a new creation in Jesus. This is who you are in Christ. the old is gone, the new has begun.