TEXT JOHN 9:24 41
KEY VERSE – The answered and said, whether he be a sinner or not, I know not: one thing I know that whereas I was blind, now I see (John 9: 25) this was the testimony of the man that was born blind, who had lived probably half of this life time in utter darkness as he was blind from this mother womb but on a day like this he had a divine encounter and his life story changed. (I was blind everybody knew me and could testify to this) but now I see. What a clear difference! There was a past that was clearly different from the present. The past was night but the present is day, the past was darkness but the present is light. The man said I have a past well known to you all but now is a new damn.
Everyone has a past. It may be a past in sin and iniquity, a past in outright disobedience and rebellion against God. A past in immorality, vulgarity, wickedness, drunkenness, hatred etc.
But the present must be different from the past. You cannot use religiousness to cover your past, NO! You cannot use churchliness to cover your past NO! Every past that is not forsaken remains part of the present. That is why the Holy Spirit through Apostle Paul says “Therefore if any man be in Christ” (this ‘’any man’’ was outside Christ in the past, this ‘’any man’’ may be religious, may be tolled, may be highly placed in the church or society but outside Christ in the past, this ‘’any man’’ was in the world, in sin and iniquity outside Christ in the past but now in Christ he is new creature; old things (that is) the inward sin nature and power of sin, which is nothing more nor less. The power of the devil working in human nature or in man of disobedience and (iv) the outward sin or transgression of the law (John 8:44, Eph. 2:2; mark 7:19-21; Rom. 1:18-32; 1Corint.6:9-11; 2Corint. 4:4; Gal 5: 19-21; Col 3:5-10; 1John 2: 1517; 3: 8; 5:18) are passed away behold all (not most, not all most, not some) things are become new (2Corinthians 5:17).
When a man outside Christ (though he may profess relation with Christ according to the flesh before but he is unchanged, unregenerate in heart and life, and he is dead in trespassed and sin) gets to a point and turns to Christ (not by becoming churchy or religious or moral but by acknowledging his sins and sinfulness, confess the sins sincerely from the heart and forsake them (Proverb 28: 13), then accepting Christ Jesus into his heart and life as Lord and Saviour. He then becomes a new creature i.e regenerate newly (being born again not of corruptible but of the incorruptible word of God (1Peter 1: 23).
What does it mean to be “a new creature?”
Reading through the lines of 2Corinthians 5: 17 You take note of the semi-column immediately after the phrase “a new creature” it is telling us that the statement that follows is explaining of giving meaning to the previous statement.
So, to become “a new creature” is to have “old things passed away including both the inward and outward sin”. The belief that only outward sins are forgiven and that one is still under the control of the old man, the devil, is not only erroneous but demonic doctrines in Christendom (2Corinthians 5: 17-18; Ephesians 4:24; Romans 6: 6-23; 8:1-13 1John 5: 18). Old things; old ways of life, old friendship (2Corinthians 5: 14-18), Old association, old ways of thinking, old pleasures, surfeiting e.t.c must pass away. Holding on to any old things is compromise and double standard life. You cannot be inside and outside Christ simultaneously. You cannot be one leg in, one leg out. To be in Christ is a total and complete departure from sin and its pleasures it’s a severance or disconnect or abstinence from evil. It is the abolishing of the old things and connecting to the new way of life.
Coming into Christ brings about transformation of life, conversion from evil to good, t6ransfer from darkness into light, a shift from the valley of sin death to the mountain top of righteousness, joy, peace and life in the Holy Ghost.
Yes, a clear difference in life, in thought, in conduct, in association, in relationship, in dressing, in comportment, in conversion, in business, in charity (1Timothy 4:12).
If your coming to Christ has not brought any change into your life, then you need a visit to Calvary. When that man encountered the Lord Jesus his life changed. If your encounter with the Lord Jesus does not bring a meaningful change in your life, then you need to visit Calvary.
If the old things are still presently manifesting in your life and deceiving you that it is your nature. Old things must pass away, and behold all things, not some things, not many things but ALL THINGS (in every facet of life) must become NEW Now Experience Wonders!
Yes, that is the stage, the level you get to when ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW: You become NEW (Now Experience Wonder) yourself in every area of your life.
The man born blind told the Sahendrin. I was (note the tense) blind but (a turning point has come) now I See (John 9:25).
Before I only hear you speak I could not see you but now my level has changed I can see you yes, you that asked me the question I can see that you are bearded, I can see that the man standing by your right is also wearing a heavy beard I can see the man on your left is bald headed I see all of you are wearing sad and sorrowful countenance on your confused face because of my miracle. Yes it is real, very real that I was the one sitting begging for alms all these years, I was the very same man. You said was born blind because I sinned from my mother womb. I am no other person than the one you knew from aged but. My story has changed, my level has changed, my turn around has come now I see, I see, I see with my own two eyes yes now I see.
What a testimony! What a great changed you have been in the church for many years enjoying fellowship, getting tittles and recognitions but you are still living in sin, what a wasted life you are living.
Church cannot changed you, age cannot convert you (No matter how old a man is the wickedness in him still remain in him and you must come into Jesus, you must repent (and not just be remorseful) of your sins you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior today so that life will make all things become new in your life. Christ will give meaningful meaning to your life if only you give him room in your heart (Rev 21-22).