The inspired Word speaks of a new creation. God, in a variety of expression, has promised to make all things new. Though the new creation is thus presented as something to hope for, yet in a real and blessed sense it is already introduced, at least in its beginning, as we shall see further on. And the introduction of the new is the declared condemnation, or the virtual setting aside of the old, though we know it continues for the present, but it is only for a little time. To illustrate:in traveling through a country, you come in sight of a farm house which looks old and dilapidated; you say in your mind that its owner must have condemned it in his thoughts and words. You come nearer, and you see that the foundation of a new house is laid. You now say that the old house is condemned, not only in thought and word, but in deed. The family is yet in the old, and doubtless making themselves as comfortable as possible, but its removal is only a matter of time. So in reading the Old Testament Scriptures one cannot fail to see that God is not satisfied with the present state of things,-not satisfied with His once fair creation so blighted by sin and misery. In those Scriptures He is revealed as holy and gracious; and holiness cannot rest where sin is, and graciousness or mercy cannot rest where misery is. Indeed we may read in those Scriptures that it is His purpose to make a thorough change. He speaks of creating "new heavens and a new earth" and "the former," He says, "shall not be remembered nor come into mind."

We come to the New Testament and we see that the new creation is already introduced, at least in its beginning. He who was crucified, but brought again from the dead by the glory of the Father, is the beginning and exalted Head of the new creation, thus showing that God has set aside the old. True, those that belong to the new arc yet in the old, yet their removal from it and the fuller manifestation of the new, is only waiting God's due time.

That the risen Christ is a new beginning-the beginning of the new creation, is plainly taught in Scripture. He is designated in the first chapter of the book of Revelation as "the faithful witness, and the first-begotten of the dead," or as the Revised has it, "the first-born of the dead."

Then, in the third chapter, evidently meaning the same thing, He is styled "the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God." Thus in becoming the "first-born from the dead," He became the " beginning of the creation of God," that is, the beginning of the new creation, which will be in the fullest sense "the creation of God," and which will abide before Him forever.

And believers being seen as risen with Christ, that is, as risen in His resurrection, they are as a consequence, a new creation in Him. This is clearly taught in the following rich passage-"the love of Christ constraineth us ; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died ; and he died for all, that they which live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him. who for their sakes died and rose again. Wherefore we henceforth know no man after the flesh ; even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more. Wherefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature [or as it is in the margin, there is a new creation]:the old things are passed away ; behold they are become new " (2 Cor. 5:14-17, R. V). Thus believers are, according to God a new creation in the risen Christ. This is clearly not experience but position,-a complete, new position before God.

It may be asked, What is meant by "knowing no man after the flesh,-even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know Him so no more ?" The following passage, I doubt not, gives the true answer :ye "have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him :where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free:but Christ is all, and in all" (Col. 3:10, ii). We do not now know Christ as a Jew, and only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, but as a risen, heavenly Man, and as Head over all things, and in whom, as already seen, we as believers are a new creation. And when He comes, the bodies of His own will share in the new creation, that is, whether gone to corruption, or still mortal, they will be changed in a moment and conformed to the body of His glory,-"we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." Also the whole creation will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory (Rom. 8:21). Yea, God will make all things new" (Rev. 21:7); and what John saw in vision will be fully realized, " I saw a new heaven and a new earth ; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away ; and there was no more sea."

It must be added that we are indebted to the atoning death of the Lord Jesus for all this. It is because He died that He could identify us with Himself in new creation. It is because He died that our bodies can be made like unto His glorious body. Though "the body is dead because of sin" as the Word says, yet the sin being atoned for, the body can be redeemed. Also it is because He died and bore the curse that the curse can be righteously taken from creation, yea all things be made new. Yes, in view of the cross God can take us up and make spirit, soul, and body a new creation. In view of the cross He can take up the blighted creation and pronounce it once more "very good"; its former glory, however, being no glory by reason of the glory that shall so far excel.

Surely being a new creation in Christ, with the bright and sure hope of its completion, what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy behavior and godliness ! "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them " (Eph. 2:10). In another place after being told that nothing avails but being a new creation in Christ, it is added " and as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God" (Gal. 6:15, 16). Thus the "rule" of our walk is the new creation. We are to walk according to that into which God in grace has brought us. Our whole behavior should be governed by the principles of the new creation. Our whole heart should be with the new, not with the old. We should be building our hopes in the new, not in the old. May it be so more fully with His beloved people during the little while they are detained in this scene of sin and sorrow, and waiting for His coming, find, though as yet in old creation sorrows, new creation joys as their strength for what may remain of the way till He come. R. H.