Have you ever seen a caterpillar crawl? Their entire existence is earthbound. They are driven by instinct to eat leaves. They live limited lives that lack beauty and freedom until they enter the chrysalis process. The old body dissolves inside the cocoon, and a new body is formed. There is a form of death in the metamorphosis as the caterpillar ceases to exist. A butterfly emerges from the cocoon no longer limited to crawling. Its wings have vibrant colors that embody freedom. This isn’t an improved caterpillar. It’s a new creation without the limitations of the old life.
Becoming a Christian is much like that. Jesus didn’t come to make improvements to your life. He came to give you new life as a new creation. Before Jesus met Saul on the road to Damascus, Saul found his identity in his performance, lineage, and knowledge. After his encounter, Saul became a new person with a new identity. He was no longer defined by his past but by Christ living in him. He was no longer living life being led by his fleshly desires. Instead, Saul began to live as one who was led by the Spirit of God living in him.
Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (AMP). To be crucified with Christ is to nail our old life to the cross. It’s a daily choice to put to death our desires in our life so we can live as new creations led by the Spirit who lives in you. Jesus died and was resurrected to give you new life through Him, and you get to start this new life right where you are. Christianity is not a modification of your behavior, but a metamorphosis of who you are. Now live as a new creation.
