The new order demands a new standard of life. Self-exaltation was the norm of the old life. Sin was less sinful than it really is, and holiness was less holy than it really is.

In this new creation, there is a new conception of sin. Things that before seemed altogether right now seem entirely wrong. Habits, haunts, practices, pursuits, pleasures, companionships, conversations, and clothes that were harmonious and suitable in the old sphere seem wholly out of place in the new. Their presence in the new sphere spoils its harmony and vitiates its atmosphere. After breathing the fresh, pure air of the higher altitude, the truly born-again one finds the atmosphere of the natural plane reeking with worldliness, selfishness, and sin, stifling and sickening. The one born of God cannot continue sinning as he once did: he cannot continue in the practices he knows to be contrary to God’s will and Word. He now has a conception of sin, which makes him loathe them.

1 John 3:9

“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”

In the new creation, there is also a new standard of measurement. In the old life, the sinner measured himself by himself or by others like himself. But in the new order, the victorious, obedient, holy life of the incarnate Son becomes the believer’s pattern for his own life on earth, and that perfect standard measures all his living.

Christ’s unchanging and unchangeable teachings and principles are now the rule by which he lives, and he rejoices in being free from the despotism of the constantly shifting customs and styles of worldly society. The new creation in Christ has a new standard of values. Time becomes an extremely precious thing, the use of which is to be sacredly guarded and prayerfully made. Money becomes invested with new meaning and power, for consecrated to the Lord and used in His service, it may be the means of saving souls that are infinitely precious in God’s sight. Men and women, boys and girls, become vastly more than flesh and blood; they are seen as God sees them, human souls lost in sin, redeemed by the precious blood of the Son of God, and waiting to be saved through faith in Him. In all things, Christ the Son becomes the believer’s Example.

John 13: 14-15

^14 “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”

1 Peter 2:21

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps.”

But need we continue to enumerate the things made new through the new birth when God says so plainly that “all things are become new”? Indeed, they must become so because we have a new spring from which all things in our life come. “All things are of God” (2 Corinthians 5:18). God Himself is the source of all our thoughts, feelings, motives, ambitions, aspirations, actions, affections, purposes, and plans. The new birth is just the beginning of a new life. “It is a crisis with a view to a process; a rebirth with the prospect of a constant renewal.”

Have you, my friend, been born again? Are you a member of the new order? Are you a new creation? If not, will you not begin that new life just now by one believing look at the crucified One?

But perchance, you have professed to come into the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ, and yet you are discouraged today because of the countless old things that persist in the new life. Is yours the case of new pieces on an old garment?

One day, on the streets of Peking, I saw an old countryman. He had on an old, faded, worn-out garment. It had been blue once, but it was no longer blue. Right across the front and back of his faded garment were big, bright blue, new patches. On seeing the innocent old countryman’s garment, I laughed aloud. I could not help it, for it looked so funny. But why did I laugh? The patches were all right. They were big, new, bright, and blue and covered the whole of his garment, front and back. There was nothing the matter with the patches! Then why did I laugh? I will tell you why because the garment and the patches were out of harmony with each other. The garment was old, faded, and worn out; the patches were new, bright, and blue. The garment and the patches did not belong to each other.

I wonder if, as God looks down upon us today, He sees some patched Christians! Some professors of Christianity rather than possessors of Christ! Perhaps you go to church, read your Bible, have daily prayer, and partake of the Holy Communion, all of which are part of every genuine Christian life. But in your life, are these things like new patches on an old garment? Are they simply good habits added on to the old life of sin and self? Are you a patched Christian? A professor instead of a possessor? Or have the old things passed away, and all things become new because you are, in deed and truth, a new creation in Christ?

Source: “Life on the Highest Plane” by Ruth Paxson

We thank and praise You, Lord Jesus! You have made us a new creation. Thank you for all of our old things that have passed away. We are eagerly waiting for the new heaven and the new earth upon Your return. Hallelujah!