The Parallel Between the New Covenant and Being a New Creation in Christ

The Parallel Between the New Covenant and Being a New Creation in Christ

There will be a lot to read in this writing, so if you may need to read it in several sittings. 

This is one of those blogs where I can easily let scripture speak for itself.  Therefore, I will keep my comments brief.

When reading my daily Bible study, I am often inspired to see scripture from a new perspective.  While reading through Colossians a few days ago it was when I suddenly saw the parallel between the New Covenant Jesus Christ created and our responsibility for becoming a new creature when we choose to accept the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

I know it can be confusing when the Bible says we are not under the law but yet it also says we need to follow the law.  I recently even heard a woman on a "Christian" YouTube video say that we do not need to follow the ten commandments because we are no longer under the old laws.  She was so very wrong and obviously did not read her Bible but was probably just looking for an excuse to sin.  The facts are this: Jesus Christ abolished manmade laws when He died on the cross and shed His blood for our sins.  This does not mean we quit following the laws of God.  Jesus Christ said it Himself.

(Matthew 19:16-21) And, behold, one came and said unto Him, "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" And [Jesus] said unto him, ".. if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments... Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself... give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."

Now let me supply you with a lot of scripture (this is not even all the Bible says, but just a sample), first about the New Covenant and then about our role in honoring Jesus' sacrifice when we choose to call ourselves a Christian. 

New Covenant Scriptures

In this verse you see how it states we must follow Jesus and not the old laws, or we are in danger of falling from God's grace.  Paul even says it is as if Jesus' grace does not affect one who refuses to give up the Mosaic laws. The old ways are a yoke of bondage.  There is more below from Galatians 5 that ties in perfectly with the theme of this blog showing how the new covenant and new creation concepts are so perfectly linked.

(Galatians 5:1-5) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage... Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Now it is Peter who reminds fellow believers that the old law is a yoke and a burden, that they should not encourage new coverts to follow.  Our hearts are purified through faith in Jesus and following His ways alone.

(Acts 15:7-11) And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, "Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they."

Here Paul is making a comparison between physical circumcision and spiritual.  Paul does an excellent job of showing the parallel between the new covenant and being a new creation in Christ.  The old ordinances were nailed to the cross of Jesus, so let's honor His precious sacrifice by putting off our sins and living a pure life for Him!

(Colossians 2:11-15 & 20-23) In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using; after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Paul reminds us that insisting on following the old ways frustrates the grace of God and is the equivalent of that Jesus dying in vain.  That is pretty serious! We are dead to the old manmade traditions because Jesus loved us enough to die for us and set us free.  Not free to sin (see Romans 6:1-2), but free to follow obtainable laws, not more than 600 rules that no one could ever live up to. 

(Galatians 2:14-21) But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

This is a beautiful passage.  It shows Paul's compassion, his honesty, and integrity.  I cannot think of a thing to add here. 

(Romans 10:1-13) Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

New Creation Scriptures

This is probably the most well-known passage about becoming a new creature in Christ, but have you read or heard the verses above it where it reminds us that we will all be judged by Jesus?  What we say and do is so very vital not just before but also after we accept Christ.

(2 Corinthians 5:10-11 & 15-17) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

These two passages remind us that we were once living in dark sinfulness, but when we became saved, we became as new creations, and then Paul goes on to explain what is now expected of us.

(Ephesians 4:17-32) This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not... in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

(Colossians 3:1-14) If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God... Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.  For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have 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.., Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

This is the continuation of Galatians 5 from above.  Another list of reminders of what God expects from us.  These lists of rules are so vitally important to know and follow as they are so vitally important to where we will spend eternity.  They are not a bondage but, as you will read below, our reasonable service and quite easy to follow.  They are designed to give us joy, peace, and true freedom by not weighing us down with the regrets and consequences that sin brings.  

(Galatians 5:16-26) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. 

This is another list of examples of how we should act as Christians but also reminds us that once we step out of darkness we should no longer associate with those still living in the world.  Instead we need to walk in the Light of Jesus and step away from dark behaviors in others as well as not participating in the dark deeds.

(Ephesians 5:3-18) But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them... See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise... And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

When we become followers of Jesus we need to learn to love what Jesus loves and hate what Jesus hates.  Even when it is difficult to let go of the past sins and past relationships, the Holy Spirit will always give you strength and victory to walk away and serve Him alone!

(Romans 12:1-2 & 9) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

This is another great reminder of how to please God and not live not in uncleanliness, but in holiness based on the commandments from Jesus.

(1 Thessalonians 4:1-7) Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

Let me leave you with just one more passage that reminds us again that we will all be judged according to how we choose to obey the rules of the New Covenant.

(Revelation 20:11-12 & 21:7-8) And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

I know this is already a lot to read, but if you want even more information on the New Covenant, feel free to read these other blogs:

 Jesus Made a Surety of a Better Testament: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/06/leviticus-numbers-deuteronomy-jesus.html

Jesus Teaches us a Better Way: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/01/matthew-5-jesus-teaches-us-better-way.html

True Grace, False Grace, and Legalism, Written by my Husband, Mel: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2024/09/true-grace-false-grace-and-legalism.html

Understanding  The New Covenant, Written by my Husband: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2015/12/understanding-new-covenant-written-by.html

Justification by Faith Alone, Written by my Husband: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2020/08/justification-by-faith-alone-written-by.html

Full Assurance of Salvation, Written by my Husband: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/10/full-assurance-of-salvation-written-by.html