"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

As disciples, if we desire to follow Him, Jesus tells us in Matthew 16:24, "...let him deny himself..." Last week we looked at Scripture that told us what was to be denied -- all that is a part of the old man. That former self has been renewed, a new birth (regeneration) has taken it's place. Let's see what Scripture tells us of this new creation.

It is of one heart:
Ezekiel 11:19 tells us that the remnant of Israel will be of one heart, "Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them..."
(Read the promise of restoration God gives to the remnant Vs. 13-20.)

Believers as well are of one heart as Scripture tells us of our unity with Holy God, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were also called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all." Ephesians 4:4-6

It has resurrection in Christ:
Read Romans 6:4-6 concerning Believers. Verse 5 tells us, "For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection."

Therefore, the old is dead and the new has come!:
1 Peter 1:3 tells us,
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you."

As a new creation we are to grow in the knowledge of the Lord:
"As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby." 1 Peter 2:2

We are to grown and not remain as babes, to attain to a mature man:
"As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspect into Him, who is the head, even Christ."
Ephesians 4:14-15

Read Colossians 1:9-14, it is Paul's prayer for the Colossians and us, Vs. 10 says, "So that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Growth by its very nature is progressive. "The NKJV Open Bible" says of
2 Peter 1:5-7, "They (Christians) have been called away from the corruption of the world to conformity with Christ, and Peter urges them to progress by forging a chain of eight Christians virtues from faith to love."  End of quote.
(My parenthesis)
2 Peter 1:5-7 says,
"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love."

Then he assures them in verse 8,
"For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

As works in progress let us do as Scripture says in 2 Peter 3:18, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen."