Let me remind you that when we speak of union with Christ, we are speaking about the connection that exists between Christ and his people. This is not an optional benefit offered to certain Christians, but rather is something that is absolutely essential and is at the very core of what it means to be a Christian. I suspect that if you were to ask the Apostle Paul, Paul, what does it mean to be a Christian? He would have answered in terms of union with Christ. It is to be in Christ. That is essential. It is very much part of what it is to be a follower of Christ Jesus. To be without Christ is to be lost. There's no middle ground here. You're either in Christ or out of Christ. If you're in Christ, you're saved. If you're out of Christ, you're lost. Without God, without hope in this world. Charles Hodge says this regarding union with Christ, to be in Christ is the common scriptural phrase to express the saving connection or union between Him and His people. And you see those two words being used, union and connection. He continues, they are in Him by covenant as all men were in Adam. You will note, and this encouraged me as I've wrestled with defining union with Christ, you will note that in this description, when he tries to define union and being in Christ, he has to use various terms and raise various concepts. You cannot define in Christ, if you like, with one sentence. There are several adjectives used, again, theologically and implied in the scriptures, adjectives used to describe union with Christ. They're connected thoughts, but with distinct truth included in each. A.W. Pink's got a book on spiritual union and communion. In the opening section of that book, he uses terms like supernatural. And real, it's not imaginary, it's a real union. Spiritual, intimate, indissoluble. Those are the five that he uses in introducing the subject to really convey the idea of what it is to be in Christ Jesus. We've got to add words to explain what we mean by union. Others refer to it as a federal or representative union. And at the same time, a mystical or spiritual union. We'll tease out some of those things in future studies and look at them in some more detail. Let me go back to last week. Again, the ground of our acceptance. Remember, accepted and beloved. The ground of our acceptance. If this was Sunday school, I'd pause and ask you the question, what is the ground of our acceptance? Well, it's forgiveness. What blocks our acceptance is our sin. And so, therefore, to be accepted is to know forgiveness of our sins. That's the ground of acceptance. But the ground of our acceptance, being accepted in Christ, rests in turn upon the federal nature of His union. In other words, Christ is our representative. In my place, we sing, condemned He stood. You see, there is no forgiveness without Christ representing us on the cross as our substitute, taking our sins and dying on our behalf. Again, you've got there verse 21 of this chapter. He was made sin for us. He represents us. He dies for us so that we might know forgiveness and then in turn acceptance. So the union there, accepted and beloved, certainly points us in the direction of federal or representative union. As Adam was the first, what we call the federal or representative head, as Adam was the first representative head, so the Lord is the second Adam, the second head. You unite to Adam, brings death. Union with Christ brings life through his death, burial and resurrection. But yet, there is more to our union with Christ Jesus. On the ground of our acceptance, Upon that basis, on the ground of the atonement and our forgiveness, our union with Christ is not simply federal or legal or representative. It is a spiritual life-giving union. And these two things are closely connected. You see, turn back to Romans chapter 6 please. Romans 6 and the opening verses are really key to understand the subject of union with Christ. We looked at them in our studies in Romans in the past months or years. In Romans 6 he begins, What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid! How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein? Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death. This is language of union, federal union. that we're so connected with Christ, that spiritual union, and by the baptism there is spiritual baptism, and we're connected with Christ in that regard. But then he continues, 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. See, clearly, Paul understands our connection with Christ that secures our forgiveness is the very same connection that secures our freedom. Keep those two words in mind. Union with Christ secures forgiveness, and it also secures freedom. And you get both together. You don't get one without the other. That's the argument that Paul is making here in Romans chapter 6. It's unthinkable for a justified, forgiven man to continue in sin because those who are united to Christ unto forgiveness are also united to Christ unto freedom. Spiritual freedom. Freedom from the bondage and the power of sin. Again, let's keep things very simple. The Bible tells us we share in Christ's death. We are buried with him by baptism to death. We share in Christ's death. Well, what does Christ's death do? It delivers us from all the effects of sin. From the penalty of sin. We use these three P's often. The penalty of sin, the power of sin, the presence of sin. Through Christ's death we are forgiven. The penalty of sin is removed. But through Christ's death also, every effect of sin is broken. So the power of sin in our lives is broken. And yes, one day the very presence of sin will be removed. So federal union, our union with Christ unto forgiveness, is also the ground and the basis of this life-giving spiritual union. When you enjoy forgiveness, you also get to enjoy freedom. And that's what Paul is arguing here in 2 Corinthians chapter 5. You turn back there. Because he's saying if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. He's describing the freedom of those who are in Christ Jesus. Again, I say, I'm not going to take the time to go through in detail all the context that leads to this particular point. Save to notice that in verse number 12, as he defends his apostolic authority and his very dignity in the eyes of the Corinthians, he describes those who glory in appearance. Those who look upon the outward man and give glory upon what they see outwardly. And it continues. Down to verse number 16. And again, these all do connect. Wherefore, henceforth, know we no man after the flesh. That's a peculiar sort of set of words, isn't it? What does it mean we know no man after the flesh? Well, the word there speaks of perceiving. And it can have this idea of judging or discerning a man according to what external appearance looks like. You see, he then says, that's what he was guilty of regarding Christ. So the next section means, yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, Paul made a judgment of Jesus and despised him after the flesh. Didn't discern the true Christ, had an external view of Christ, and judged Christ in that regard, and yet now henceforth know we him no more. And there are various ideas of what that's meaning, but in the context, it seems to be Paul describing his own conversion in those words. So why does he not judge or know men after the flesh? That's the therefore, verse 17. And therefore, if any man be in Christ, he's a new creature. We don't judge, if you like, after the flesh, but after the spirit. Because those in Christ are radically different. Union with Christ is a life-giving, life-changing reality. And that's what I want to explore with you tonight. First of all, this is a definite change. Again, just focusing your eyes now on verse number 17. If any man be in Christ, a new creature. And you'll see the words he is supplied there. They give sense to the clauses in the original language. If any man be in Christ, it has a sense of equals new creature. Note the words. If any, new creature. In other words, all who are in Christ are new creatures. In Christ is to be a new creature. To be a new creature is to be in Christ. These things always will come together. There are no new creatures who aren't in Christ. And there are none in Christ who are not new creatures. These things come together. And so again, the Puritan Clevel says this, by this rule, all the titles and claims made to Christ in the professing world are to be examined. What's he saying there? He said, anybody who says, I belong to Christ, that claim can be tested by this standard. All who are in Christ are new creatures. And if you say you're in Christ, but are not a new creature, you're deceiving yourself. That's how definite this change is. I'm using this term definite to make the point that this is something that is true for all believers. The bible continues, If any man be what he will or desires to be, high or low, great or small, learned or illiterate, young or old, if he pretend interest in Christ, this is the standard by which he must be tried. If he be in Christ, he is a new creature. You see, Paul, he understands the true nature of the gospel. And sadly, a gospel that has been lost in North America for many, many years. And tragically, there's been a division, a division of forgiveness from freedom, that you could be forgiven and yet still be in bondage to sin. Paul didn't teach that, never taught that. Oh, he never minimized the ongoing presence of sin, but he always understood that those who belonged to Christ Jesus were new creatures. He had no, if you like, no theology of aisle walkers. People who continued to walk the aisle week after week after week, but never knew that radical change that is true of those who are new creations. You see, you turn across to Galatians chapter 6, just to point out how Paul emphasizes this in really very, very stark terms. It's one of the parallels to the language of new creation. That's why I'm turning your attention to it. It's Galatians chapter 6. You know verse 14 very well. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord You read that initially and you think, I'm not sure what he means there. I don't really understand what he's getting at in that language. What he's saying is that this work of new creation is absolutely indispensable. He's not going to boast or glory in anything but the cross of Christ Jesus. But there are those who will glory or boast in their religion. They will glory in their circumcision. Again, if you keep a finger in Galatians chapter 6 and turn back to Romans chapter 2, you'll see some of the language of those who are boasting in their circumcision or glorying in their circumcision. Romans 2 verse 17. He's warning them, they're boasting. Again, verse number 23, And so he says in verse number 25, In other words, circumcision does not avail in the absence of the work of new creation. All your boasting of religion is useless and vain if there is no internal spiritual heart change. In other words, a religious life, going back to Galatians chapter 6, a religious life can be present in the absence of new creation. Let that sink in. Your practice of religion is no guarantee of a new creation. You can be religious. You can know your Bible back to front and front to back. You can know and recite your catechisms and all the doctrines in there. You can come to church so very, very faithfully, be present in the prayer meeting, even pray the right prayers in the prayer meeting, and all of that in the absence of new creation. That's a warning here. This new creation is absolutely indispensable. But religious performance does not replace that experience. And so Paul says again, back in Galatians 6, In other words, it doesn't matter religious or unreligious. The key thing is, are you a new creature? Wherever you've come from tonight, whatever your background, whatever your knowledge base, the key thing is, are you a new creature in Christ? That's what it's all about. That's why this definite change has to be acknowledged. You see, your assurance is empty if there is no new creation. We understand to some degree the doctrine of assurance. It's not grounded upon your performance or your conduct or your good deeds. It's grounded in Christ Jesus alone. Hence Paul says, God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those whose assurance is grounded in Christ are those who bring forth the spiritual evidence of a new creation. Thus before the Lord, it is the new creation that reveals that makes a difference. Now I'll come back to this in closing application. I think for now it's better to continue the doctrinal matters first, but please note this is a definite change. If you are not a new creature, you're not Christian. You cannot profess to be in Christ without having experienced this radical change. Which leads secondly to the fact this is a divine change. Creature is used, again, in 2 Corinthians 5, but it is the general word used for creation. And it is intended to bring our minds to the Lord's action in our hearts. Who is the creator in the Bible? Who is the one that produces creation? It is, of course, the God of heaven. And so tonight, you'll see in your outline, I've left you four blank spaces. maybe helps you to listen. You can jot in the blanks for what's going to follow. I want to show you four parallels between this spiritual change in the heart of man and God's work in bringing the world into existence. These are Bible parallels. First of all, this work of new creation is a work of God's sovereign power. Creation came in the sovereign power of the eternal God. Before there was anything, there was God, and God brought everything into being. And without any help, it was a sovereign work of the mighty power of God. So turn to 2 Corinthians 4, in the verse number six, for our mates across the column, where Paul says, The light to shine out of darkness has shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. The parallel that Paul draws here. God commanded the light to shine out of darkness. He's drawing the point that it is God's sovereignty that brings about the work creation and he's drawing the parallel between the work of creation in the beginning of this universe alongside the work of creation in the hearts of men to see the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. It's also seen over in Ephesians chapter two again Ephesians 2 of course it details some of the matters of our salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone but verse number 10 puts it again in language of creation for we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. We are God's workmanship, created, and no, no, in Christ Jesus. Again, this union with Christ is at key here. In union with Christ, there is this new creation. It's a sovereign work of God. Level says this, the same powerful word which created the natural, createth also the spiritual light. It is equally absurd for any man to say, I make myself to repent or to believe, as it is to say, I made myself to exist and be. You would never say that, would you? I made myself be here. in the truest sense of the word, to exist. It's absurd for you to say that, and it's just as absurd to say you make yourself repent and believe. It's a sovereign work of the power of God. Secondly, it is a work that gives light. Again, over in 2 Corinthians 4, again, we saw that reference to light. For God to command the light to shine out of darkness is shining in our hearts. You get the same language in Peter, 1 Peter 2, God hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. The light and dark metaphor is used in the scriptures various ways. Some is used regarding the kingdom of Satan. Again, Paul turned Gentiles from darkness to light, from the power of Satan onto God's darkness, Satan's kingdom, light, God's kingdom. But it's also used in terms of knowledge and understanding. Again, the light has shined in our hearts. That's over in Ephesians chapter four. Again, you'll see there in Ephesians chapter four in the verse number 24. See what Paul says there. Ephesians 4, 24, that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteous and true holiness. But again, that's the context that Paul is making here is this new creation. But verse number 18, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the evidences in them because of the blindness of their hearts. That was your past, a darkened understanding. But this work of new creation gives light and the understanding of the gospel. We live in darkness, we come to see light. Thirdly, the third parallel is it is a work of the spirit through the word. You think of the work of creation, the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters and God said, this work of new creation is also a work of the spirit of God. Again, those who believe in Christ Jesus and are therefore in union with Christ are those who are born, not of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God, because that which is born in the spirit is spirit. John 1 and John 3, it's a spiritual change. And the spirit works through the word. Psalm 33, by the word of the Lord, were the heavens made. And of course, we're born again, not crocodile seed, but incrocto, by the word of God, which lived in the Bible forever. This is a wonderful parallel. I just want you to pause for a second. You need to understand with joy what the Lord has done in your soul if you're a Christian tonight. You are completely hopeless. You could not bring yourself to exist spiritually. And God was pleased to bring light into your soul so that when a day came, and you might remember the day or you may not understand all that took place, but there was a moment in time when the Word of God came to your soul and all the lights turned on. You turned away from your sin and you gave your hearts to Christ Jesus. You can explain that in various ways. You can give your own testimony. And oftentimes we give our testimony in terms of the history of events. This happened and that happened and this happened. I'm telling you, this is what happened. The sovereign power of God turned the lights on in your soul that you could see the gospel and the word. And it's all done by the power of the spirit of God. What a wonderful thing happened in your life. Ever, ever. Speak ill of your spiritual experience. Sometimes we almost apologize. I'm sorry I think this way. I don't mean to offend you. I'm sorry. I don't like what you say or do. I apologize. And you apologize for the wonderful change that God's worked in your life. Sovereign work of the Spirit of God. So it is a sovereign work of God, a work that gives light. Thirdly, a work of the spirit through the word. Fourthly, a work pleasing to God. God saw all that he had made and was very good. You can see the language of creation is used by Paul in this parallel verse. We saw Ephesians chapter four, that we are made after God, created in righteousness and true holiness. Or as Colossians 3 says, after the image of him that created him. Why is God pleased at the work in your soul? Because he's forming his image in your life. We're gonna try to define what this looks like in a moment or two. But for now, just please meditate upon the truth that God is pleased with his work of new creation because he is forming his image in your life. And so the test is not do you conform to the image that may be made by religion or by religious traditions, but do you conform to God's image? Righteousness, knowledge, and true holiness. It's a divine change. And thirdly, it is a defined change, a defined change. Paul emphasized this point. What is this new creation? Verse number 17, he tells us, he defines it for us. All things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new. You can certainly use the word radical. revolutionary radical change. All things are become new. It's a new creation. It is, of course, a promise of that comes in the New Covenant, secured by Christ and His blood. Again, I remind you the connection here between our federal union with Christ and this life-giving spiritual union. Again, in the New Covenant is a promise, a new heart also will I give you, a new spirit will I put within you. What you're seeing here is that being brought to bear in Gentiles in Corinth. The words of Ezekiel in the New Covenant is gonna bring this change and the Corinthians are coming to experience this. Those who are in Christ, they are new creatures. Now the old and the new language is used by Paul in several places. And it always has the theme of obedience or rebellion. The old nature is that which turns away from the word of God, which practices those things, thinks those things, and says those things that are against the law of God. The new nature thinks, does, and says those things that are consistent with God's word. Again, I don't want to take too much time on this, but let's very, very quickly note three of these Romans chapter six again. And they'll move forward to a conclusion. Romans chapter six. Again, verse number four, we read this verse, that we should walk in newness of life. This union with Christ brings out a new life. What was the old life? Verse number six. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. So what's the old man? A servant of sin, a slave on the dominion of sin. The new man is not like that. He now serves righteousness. He obeys righteousness. Verse number 18, being then made free from sin, he became the servants of righteousness. That's this change. Then across in Ephesians chapter 4. What Paul is doing here, Ephesians 4 and Colossians 3, is really highlighting the old and the new principle. The change made in the rebirth should then be applied in the life. I'm just simply drawing your attention to the old and the new. In verse number 22 of Ephesians 4, that you put off concerning the former conversation of the old man, which is corrupt, accorned, deceitful, lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, that you put on the new man, which after God is created and right, just as in true holiness. See the contrast? Sin and a sanctified life. Disobedience and obedience. The old marked by violation and rebellion against the will of God, revealing the word of God, the new nature, and glad conformity to the word of the Lord. The same is true over in Colossians chapter 3. Again, I'm not going to read all these verses with you, but you'll see in Colossians chapter 3, the old and new images used there. Verse number nine, lie not one to another, saying that you've put off the old man with his deeds and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. And so there you have sins of speech included, alongside sins of the body and sins of the thinking. Oh, it's a radical revolutionary change in every part of our experience. So let me summarize this in three things. This new creation has a new understanding. Let the wicked forsake his way, the unrighteous man his thoughts, for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. There's a new understanding in those who have the light of God shine into their souls. A new way of thinking. A Bible-based, God-focused way of thinking. A new way of thinking about ourselves. I'm no longer a random collection of atoms and molecules. I'm an image-bearer of God, and I will give an account to God one day. We'll all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. That's a new way of thinking. Sin is no longer social inconvenience. It's rebellion against a holy God. You don't think that way, you're not a new creature. If you have any other view of sin, apart from rebelling against God, you do not understand the Bible's teaching of sin, and you're embracing some other understanding of sin. Savior, a new way of thinking of Christ. Not just a good teacher and example, but the God-man, the only saving substitute for sinners. Salvation itself, not by my works or efforts, but by Christ alone, by grace alone. In sanctification, a new way of thinking of the law of God, it's not bad, it's good. It's very simple. You know, before, we'd hear of God's commandments. Why, we love the law of God. Oh, how I love thy law. A brand new way of thinking. God changed your mind. Now, I understand for some who are raised in a Christian home, this radical change may not be as obvious as for others. If you're an atheist and now you come to Christ, well, you can see your new way of thinking. And so for some, this newness is not so much demonstrated, it is true. It is true in understanding what is particularly seen in their new affections. Ye that love the Lord hate evil. I hate and abhor lying, but thy law do I love. You can't serve two masters, you can't serve God and mammon. And so what you see in some people is really their entire hearts affections have changed. New understanding, new affections. They love the things that God loves and hate the things that God hates. If you're an image bearer of God's, you can't argue with the Lord. If His image is being formed in you in knowledge and righteousness and true holiness, you can't be having arguments with God every day. You love the law. You love the Lord. There's also, in the third place, there's a new will. You make different choices. And thus, with these three things true, there then follows new words and new works and new attitudes. There's a change. Speech is different. The place we go to is different. The attitude you have to the unbelievers and to the saints of God, these attitudes change, they're different. There's no part untouched by this work of new creation. So if all this is true, a definite, divine, and defined change, what must we say about this? Well, we have to say that all who are in Christ are new creatures. Therefore, a godly mind with godly choices and godly actions and attitudes are part and parcel of Christianity. Holiness, if you like, is really baked into the cake of God's salvation. You don't get salvation without getting holiness. Internal holiness. that changes your understanding, your affections, and your will, and makes you live and think after the image of God. That's why Flevol says, this is the test by which all claims to Christ can be made. Have you come to understand the gospel? Have you come to feel conviction of sin? A desire after godliness? A delight in the things of God? and delight in the word of God, and the church of God, and the people of God, the truth of God. Have your desire after God, a longing after his word, a desire to be with him in the place of prayer. These are things that change in those who are new creatures in Christ Jesus. Oh, it certainly serves as a rebuke You see, I haven't really dealt with the fact that all of you know, as I know myself, that I'm not consistent. That I may well preemt to have a new nature, but yet there are still ungodly thoughts and desires. You see, all who are in Christ are new creatures, but that work is not alike in degree or so easily discerned in everyone. So please be careful in your judgments. The Bible that teaches this work of new creation also teaches, Paul himself teaches that there are degrees of maturity, degrees of likeness of Christ. So please don't take this sermon and begin to judge others around you and say, they say they're in Christ, but they're not new creatures. You see, the work that God does in changing us is a work that then develops in our experience. Hence, Paul will tell them to put off the old man, to put on the new. What he's saying is basically be consistent with who you are. You are not a slave to sin anymore. Why would you live in sin any longer? You're free to live righteously. Don't go back to your old ways. Go forward in likeness to Christ Jesus. You see, all in Christ are new creatures. Hence, if we are to see an individual sinner improved or society improved, we need to see this sovereign divine work. The condition of the lost is absolutely terrible. Their nature is corrupt and defiled and depraved. They need this work of new creation. Their condition is terrible, but you know, it's not hopeless. Let me borrow again from Flavel in this, he says this, And he says, if it was possible for you to see the beginning of the work of creation, you would ask the question, how could God form something beautiful out of all of this? Hopeless, but the power of God was able to make all things good. He continues, it may be you see no dispositions or hope for the connection in your friends toward God and spiritual things. Nay, possibly they are totally opposite, and filled with enmity against them. They deride and jeer all serious piety wherever they behold it. This indeed is very sad. But yet remember the work of grace is creation work. Though there be no division at all in their wills, no tenderness in their consciences, no light or knowledge in their minds, yet God is at the command that the light to shine out darkness can shine into their hearts. to give him the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. He can say, to the dry bones live, to the proud and stubborn heart come down and yield thyself to the will of God, and if he command, the work is done. God is able still to do this wonderful work of new creation. So as you reflect upon your own life now, I think I'm fair in saying that the vast majority of people in this congregation say and profess to be in Christ. You find that alongside that profession comes this wonderful reality of a changed life. And I encourage you to give thanks to the Lord. Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul. My desire is not to make you all doubt. It is that you'd all see that you are what you are by the mighty power of God. not by an act of your will, but an act of the will of God that shined light into your soul. So if you are professing to be in Christ and also know this wonderful reality, then praise God for his work of grace. But if you know truthfully, you have no real heart for God and no heart for the things of righteousness, Your affections are still attached to this world. The choices you make are consistently away from the things of God. And please, tonight, don't claim forgiveness. Don't leave here with a false assurance that you prayed a prayer, you said something years ago, and therefore all is well. If you know honestly your heart has not been changed, and don't claim the blessings of federal union in the absence of spiritual life-giving union. With forgiveness always comes freedom. The battle of working out that freedom takes time and goes from degrees to degrees, but there is an essential extrinsic change. You are indeed free. And if not, then get to Christ tonight. because it's in union with Christ that freedom and forgiveness are found together. Get to the Lord, the one who has the power to see it. Let's close again our meeting in prayer. May the Lord encourage us and help us to understand these things and to pray through them. Eternal God, we pray that you would change those who are near to us again who seem to be without hope We pray you would do this radical work of changing their minds and their hearts and their wills. We pray, O God, for that work of new creation in their souls. Thank you, Lord, we don't depend upon ourselves, but on your mighty power. We are powerless. Thou art the almighty God. And for many of us, O God, in this congregation, we can reflect upon the truth that you've changed us. O Lord, we're not what we should be. but we're not what we once were. And we thank you, O Lord, for your light that you shine into our souls. You cause us to see the Lord Jesus and trust in him. And you put within us, O God, an inclination towards obedience. Help us, O God, to walk consistent with what we are. Help us, O God, to put off the old man and put on the new. Be more like Christ this week in our thinking, in our words, and her attitudes and her actions may be all things to bring glory to your name. Thank you dear father. We praise you, give you all the glory in Jesus name.