2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) tells us, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into favor with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
It's difficult for us to learn anything new from the Gospel, because of the things we've been taught from tradition and culture. For centuries, we've focused on being sinners and have overlooked the Truth of the new creation. For centuries, we've tried paying for our sins, by our own ways. The carnal mind has held us captive to condemnation. It requires revelation from the Holy Spirit and the Word, to believe we are new creations.
The carnal mind remembers and recalls the old man, before knowing Jesus. The mind that is renewed by the Holy Spirit, reveals who we've been made to be in Christ Jesus. 2Corinthians 5:21 (Amplified) says, "For our sake He made Christ (virtually) to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become (endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of) the righteousness of God (what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him by His Goodness)."
This is the real you. You are now "approved, acceptable, and in right relationship (what we ought to be)" in Jesus. This is what God had in His heart from the beginning and what we ought to be. We couldn't become what we ought to be, on our own and needed the Redeemer to return us to what God intended. We are in His right standing and in His right relationship, because we are "in Him." We continue trying to deal with our sins, even though they have been done away with. We still try make recompense for who we were, instead of rejoicing in who we are now, in Christ Jesus. Jesus said in John 14:27 (Amplified), "Peace I leave with you; My Own peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled)."
Our hearts will always be troubled, if we all the world to determine who we are. Jesus said, "Do not allow this." How do we "not allow" condemnation from coming into our hearts? Be believing in the new creation man, God has made us to be and what we "ought to be." This is what we ought to be---a people who believe in what God did through Jesus and who can now stand in right standing with Him, by our faith in Jesus Christ. We try to impress God by our own efforts, but this doesn't work for Him or for us.
When we try paying for our own sins and mistakes, it is merely trying to become in right standing with God, by man's own efforts. This is not only displeasing to Him, but it is truly unbelief. Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified) says "But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come to God must (necessarily) believe that God exists and that He is the Rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him (out)."
Self condemnation and guilt, are simply unbelief in what God to make us "who we ought to be" and unbelief in our Sin-Bearer. Jesus not only did away with our sin, but He also made us new creations and in right standing with the Father. You cannot have peace in your life, without receiving His peace. Guilt and condemnation are the world's peace and there is no power in it. The Holy Spirit will convict you of wrong doing, but He will never condemn you. If you are doing wrong, then change what you're doing and the world will have no way to take your peace.
If you are truly a new creation, then you have no past, otherwise you are not "new." We've been taught we're "just forgiven sinners," for so long. While it's true (to a point) that our sins were forgiven, we died with Him on the cross. Now our Savior's Blood has removed our sins and we've become new creations. If you could only believe and receive this Truth and knew beyond a doubt that you were in right standing or righteous in God's eyes, then would it make a difference how you prayed to and approached the Father? This is the peace that Jesus gave us, as our inheritance. This is what Jesus was referring to, when He said, "Don't let your heart be troubled" and "let it not be afraid." If you try walking in the world's peace, then your heart will always condemn you, according to 1John 3:19-21 (Amplified) which says, "By this we shall come to know (perceive, recognize, and understand) that we are of the Truth, and we can reassure (quiet, conciliate, and purify) our hearts in His Presence. Whenever our hearts in (tormenting) self accusations make us feel guilty and condemn us (For we are in God's hands) For He is above and greater than our consciences (our hearts) and He knows (perceives, and understands) everything (nothing is hidden from Him). And beloved, if our hearts (our consciences) do no accuse us (if they do not make us feel guilty and condemn us) we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God. And we receive from Him whatever we ask, because we (watchfully) obey His orders (observe His suggestions and His injunctions, follow His plan for us) and (habitually) practice what is pleasing to Him."
Our not receiving His peace, might be the most important key of having unanswered prayers, for the new creation people. If we don't allow our hearts to be troubled or condemn us, then we can walk in this new creation and in unbroken fellowship with the Father. The world's peace will always remind us of who we were, while the Holy Spirit will only remind us of who we are. Nearly every Christians I meet, feels unworthy in the Presence of the Father. We were unworthy before accepting Jesus, but now God has made us what we ought to be in Him. We are heirs of God and fellow heirs with Jesus. There is nothing unworthy about that.
The greatest work of faith, is using our faith in Him. It's God's faith we are now living in, because "the just shall live by faith." If God declared us "righteous," then we are we to say, "we're unrighteous?" Can the clay ask the Potter, "What are you doing?" God justifies you, so who can say you're not just? Perhaps, the greatest revelation for the new creation to receive is, that we are new creations and that "old things have passed away, Behold, all things have become new." We must trust Him for our right standing and righteousness. We must stop beating ourselves up, over the old man who was crucified with Christ, buried with Him and now raised into a new creation. You have become so pure, that God Himself can now live in you and walk in you.
Stop seeing yourself as you were and see yourself after the Spirit. James speaks about God's Word being a "mirror." A mirror only reflects who you are and not who you were. James 1:25-26 (Amplified) says, "But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the (law) of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but and active doer (who obeys) he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience)." Verse 26 continues speaking about "external duties of the old man (not that the things we do in this body, aren't important, but not for our liberty), saying, "If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person's religious service is worthless (futile, barren)."
We cannot continue thinking and saying that, "We're just worthless sinners" and expect to be cleansed by our external duties. If you're speaking contrary to God's righteousness, then you're deluding and deceiving your own heart. This brings the condemnation of the world and will destroy the peace that Jesus gives us. "Do not allow your heart to be troubled." YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT YOUR PEACE IN HIM.
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