“The New Creation” Day 15: The New Creation cannot operate autonomously.

Online-only web apps, by definition, require an internet connection in order to operate. That is to say, the app “resides” somewhere other than the device on which you are accessing the downloaded app.

In this case, the downloaded app is a conduit for accessing the functions, information, etc., associated with the app.

We cannot rightly address the concept of becoming a new creation through Jesus Christ, without noting that the process toward growing into the full stature of Jesus is only possible when we stay connected with Jesus by way of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus made clear to His disciples that their functioning as His disciples would only be possible if they remained connected to Him.

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬-‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Indeed, as the online-only app cannot operate without an internet connection, just so, we cannot operate as a new creation (being formed into the image of Christ), without being connected to Jesus by the Holy Spirit of God.

Later, in the same discourse about the vine and the branches, Jesus makes clear the way in which we are able to be connected to Him:

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭12‬-‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Now, prior to the same discussion about the vine and the branches, Jesus had said this:

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭15‬-‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Jesus makes clear that the Holy Spirit they would receive, is His own Spirit, and is the means through which He could be with them, even after He physically left the earth.

Child of God, how can we suppose to walk as a new creation without being connected to the one who makes that possible? And yet, we see many Christians trying to do so with disastrous results.

We’ll talk further about this next time.