Our New Creation – A Paradigm Shift
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new creation. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Romans 6:4 Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
Ephesians 4:22-24
Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy.
The Origin and Meaning of “Paradigm Shift”
The term “paradigm shift” is widely used in modern discourse across various fields, but its origins and precise meaning are often overlooked. Thomas Kuhn, a twentieth-century physicist and philosopher of science (1922–1996), introduced the term in his groundbreaking 1962 work, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. To grasp the concept of a paradigm shift, it is essential first to understand what a paradigm is.
A paradigm refers to a framework or model that encompasses a set of beliefs, assumptions, and practices guiding scientific inquiry and research within a specific discipline. It serves as a “conceptual framework,” shaping the accepted theories and methodologies that influence how scientists approach and understand their work.
A paradigm shift, then, represents a fundamental transformation in the underlying assumptions, concepts, and approaches of a scientific discipline. It occurs when a new framework or scientific paradigm replaces the old one. For instance, the shift from Ptolemaic astronomy to Copernican astronomy, or the replacement of Newtonian physics by Einstein’s theories, exemplifies such revolutionary changes.
Expansion Beyond Science
Over time, the concept of a paradigm shift extended beyond the realm of science, finding application in the social sciences and popular culture. Today, it is often used to describe any revolutionary or dramatic change in thought, perspective, or practice.
A Spiritual Paradigm Shift: Becoming a New Creation
For children of the King, the experience of becoming a follower of Christ represents the most profound paradigm shift of all. Unfortunately, many children of the King fail to recognize fully or live out the implications of this transformation.
2 Corinthians 5:17 states, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” This verse highlights the radical change that occurs when a person becomes a child of the King.
The phrase “in Christ” appears 27 times in Paul’s writings and carries rich theological significance. Practically, being in Christ signifies a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, rooted in faith and identification with His death, burial, and resurrection. This relationship marks a dramatic departure from the old way of life, bringing about a radical transformation in how we think, live, and relate to others.
The Greek Perspective on “New Creation”
The Greek word translated as “creation, creature, being, or person” in 2 Corinthians 5:17 is ktisis. In Paul’s writings, ktisis almost always refers to“creation rather than creature.” The Greek phrase kainos ktisis is translated as “new creation.” Notably, this phrase lacks a verb or pronoun, which is why translators often supply “he is” or “there is” to complete the sentence in English.
This new creation represents a complete transformation of a person’s life and identity. As Murray J. Harris explains, “Whenever a person comes to be part of the body of Christ by faith, there is a new act of creation on God’s part. One set of conditions or relationships has passed out of existence; another set has come to stay.”
REFLECT & PRAY
This spiritual paradigm shift is not merely theoretical; it’s meant to be experienced in every aspect of life. Being in Christ means adopting a new mindset, new actions, and a new way of relating to others, all fueled by the transformative power of God’s grace. It’s a call to leave behind old habits and embrace the freedom and purpose that come from being a new creation in Christ.
Father, thank You for providing a whole new way for me to live. I can hardly take it in. I am no longer a prisoner of the past. I have been redeemed and set free to live a new life because of my relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Encourage me to make it so.
INSIGHT
A Life Left Behind
2 Corinthians 5:17 states, “Old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” But what are these “old things”? They represent the characteristics of our lives before becoming children of the King. The Revised English Bible (REB) translates this as “the old order,” emphasizing the outdated and obsolete nature of our former ways.
The term archaios, translated as “old,” refers to “something ancient, existing since the beginning, but now outdated and irrelevant.” It is similar to relics of the past, like polyester leisure suits, tie-dyed everything, or avocado-colored kitchen appliances, once trendy in the 1970s but now painfully outdated compared to what’s new and current. This vivid imagery highlights the stark contrast between the old creation and the new. The transformation experienced by a believer in Christ is as dramatic as night and day, leaving no room for comparison.
Freedom from the Past
In Christ, we are no longer prisoners of our past, bound by mistakes, shame, or darkness. The limits of yesterday no longer define us. We are not victims of our history but are redeemed and freed from everything that once held us captive. This freedom enables us to embrace a new identity and purpose, unburdened from what once shackled us.
A New Perspective
Barclay observes, “To Paul, the Christian is, in his favorite phrase, in Christ; and therefore, the old self of the Christian died in that death, and a new person arose, as new as if freshly created by the hands of God.” This transformation brings about a revised set of standards in which Christians no longer evaluate based on worldly criteria.
Paul, who once saw Christ through a human lens while trying to wipe out the Christian faith, experienced a deep perspective transformation after his conversion. The Lord Jesus Christ, whose memory Paul once sought to destroy, became, in his eyes, the most incredible person in existence. Through Christ, Paul began a relationship, a friendship with God, something he had longed for his entire life.
The Call to Put on the New Nature
Colossians 3:9-10 declares, “You have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.”
The Scriptures highlight the staggering implications of being in Christ. It is not merely a change in belief but a complete paradigm shift, a radical transformation of life. The focus shifts from self to Christ, and the believer is called to look forward instead of backward. This Christ-centered life requires ongoing renewal and growth as we come to know our Creator better and become more like Him.
Pressing Forward Toward the Goal
Philippians 3:13-14 states, “Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Paul’s writings underscore the dynamic nature of the Christian life. He encourages us to leave the past behind and concentrate on the future, actively fulfilling God’s calling. Barclay notes that while Paul could have delved into deep theological concepts or pursued new intellectual challenges, he remained committed to practical application. His letters often conclude with compelling ethical directives that motivate the children of the King to embody their faith in their everyday lives.
The Demand for Radical Transformation
Barclay notes that Paul’s message is clear and straightforward: “Put to death every part of yourself which is against God and keeps you from fulfilling his will.” This command demands a complete transformation of our desires and actions. Anything that hinders full obedience to God or submission to Christ must be carefully and intentionally removed. The Christian life involves not partial change but total renewal.
Living a New Life in Christ
Romans 6:4 reminds us, “Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” This verse captures the essence of the believer’s transformation. Just as Christ’s resurrection represents victory over death, the child of the King’s new life signifies triumph over the old self. It is a life empowered by God’s, marked by renewal, and centered on fulfilling His purpose.
A Life Transformed
The transformation into a new creation in Christ is not merely a superficial adjustment. Instead, it is a deep, profound, and life-altering shift. Entirely new possibilities open up to children of the King. We are called to leave behind our former ways and embrace a life centered in Christ. Such a major perspective transformation redefines one’s identity, purpose, and values, allowing us to fully experience the freedom and richness of our renewed life in Him.
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© Dr. H 2026
Dr H Reflections 