I’m Already New (But I’m Still Becoming New)
Here’s something that’s been confusing me for years: The Bible says when I accept Jesus, I become a new creation. Old things pass away. Everything becomes new.
So why do I still struggle with the same old sins? Why do those negative thought patterns keep showing up in my head? Why doesn’t my life look completely different the moment after I pray the salvation prayer?
2 Corinthians 5:17 says it clearly: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
When I first read that verse, I thought “Great! I’m saved, so I should be totally different now.” Then I woke up the next day and realized I was still… well, me.
Here’s what I’m discovering: I AM a new creation. But becoming that new creation is also a lifelong process. And somehow both of those things are true at the same time.
Two Kinds of “New” That Are Helping Me Make Sense of This
When I started digging into what the Bible actually says about becoming new, I found something that finally helped my confusion make sense. There are two different ways God makes us new.
The first happens in an instant. The moment I put my faith in Jesus, God declares me righteous. He sees me as holy and blameless because of what Jesus did on the cross. I learned this is called positional sanctification, and it happens completely, totally, and perfectly the second I’m saved.
Think of it like getting adopted. The moment the judge signs those papers, you’re legally part of your new family. Your identity changes instantly. You have all the rights and privileges of a son or daughter right away.
The second takes my whole life. This is progressive sanctification, and it’s the process of actually becoming more like Jesus day by day. My position changed instantly, but my transformation is happening gradually as I cooperate with the Holy Spirit.
Going back to the adoption picture: I’m legally part of the family immediately, but learning to live like family takes time. I have to unlearn old patterns and learn new ones. I have to grow into who I already am.
Why This Process Is Taking So Long
When I got saved, something real happened in the spiritual realm. God seated me with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). He made me a new creation. The old me actually did pass away.
But here’s what I’m figuring out: My mind, my habits, my emotions, and my body didn’t get the memo yet. They’re still running on old programming.
Progressive sanctification is the Holy Spirit slowly bringing my everyday life into alignment with my new identity. It’s me becoming on the outside what I already am on the inside.
And here’s the part that’s giving me so much freedom lately: This process is normal. It’s not a sign that something went wrong with my salvation.
I’m not failing because I’m still dealing with old struggles. I’m growing. And growth takes time.
What This Actually Looks Like in My Life
I used to think sanctification meant I’d wake up one day and suddenly have no desire to sin. That I’d automatically want to read my Bible for hours and prayer would feel as natural as breathing.
That’s not how it’s working for me. Maybe you’re different, but I’m guessing you’re probably more like me than not.
Progressive sanctification for me looks more like this: I become a little more willing today than I was yesterday to let the Holy Spirit change me. I surrender one more area of my life to Him. I catch myself choosing differently in a moment where I used to always choose wrong.
It’s bit by bit. Moment by moment. Choice by choice.
Philippians 2:12-13 is helping me understand this: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
Notice both sides of that? I work it out (my part), but God is actually doing the work in me (His part). I’m not making myself holy through effort. I’m cooperating with what God is already doing.
What I’m Learning About My Role in This
Here’s where it gets practical for me. Progressive sanctification isn’t passive. I can’t just wait around hoping to magically become more like Jesus.
God’s given me a role to play. Not to earn my salvation or prove my worth, but to actively participate in what He’s already doing in me.
I need to expose myself to truth. I read God’s Word so the Holy Spirit has material to work with in my mind. I can’t be transformed by truth I never encounter.
I’m learning to surrender bit by bit. The Holy Spirit won’t force His way into areas of my life I’m holding back. As I become willing to let go, He moves in and does what only He can do.
I’m practicing obedience. Each time I choose to obey God in a small thing, I’m building spiritual muscle. I’m training myself to recognize His voice and follow it.
I’m trying to stay connected to Jesus. John 15:5 makes this clear: “Apart from me you can do nothing.” My transformation doesn’t come from trying harder. It comes from staying close to the One who’s actually doing the transforming.
Bread Crumbs “Put Off the Old Life” October 2
Much of the Christian process of sanctification has to do with “putting off” our old lifestyle. To “put off” something means to lay it aside like a garment you no longer desire to wear. It does not indicate the need for a struggle, or even a battle. It would be wrong to think that the believer has the ability in and of himself to change his character, habits, way of reacting, or any other action. Sin is and always shall be greater than the willpower of man. There is only one thing greater than sin and that is the activity of God’s grace moving upon the heart and mind of the new creation man. Grace is always released from heaven as a result of properly placed faith. Our faith must be placed in Christ and His finished work. The ability to put sin off, to lay it aside, to remove oneself from old ways of thinking and living, can only come through the agency of the grace of God. As the believer continually trusts in the fact that Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary has defeated every aspect of sin, the grace of God continually enables us to “put off “our former lifestyle. All by grace through faith!
Colossians 3:8 – But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries
When I Feel Like I’m Not Changing Fast Enough
Some days I look at my life and wonder if I’m making any progress at all. I see the same sins, the same struggles, the same weak spots I had years ago.
That’s when I need to remind myself: I’m already new. That’s my position in Christ, and nothing can change it.
But I’m also still becoming new. And that process is taking my whole life.
I’m learning not to confuse the speed of my growth with the reality of my salvation. God isn’t disappointed in how slowly I’m changing. He’s not up in heaven shaking His head at me.
He’s patiently, lovingly, persistently working in me. Every single day. Even when I can’t see it or feel it.
Romans 8:29 says God predestined me “to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Notice that word “conformed.” It’s a process. It implies time and ongoing work.
The Freedom I’m Finding in Being Both Complete and In Process
Here’s what I’m learning to embrace: I’m complete in Christ right now. And I’m also being completed by Christ every day.
I’m holy because of Jesus. And I’m being made holy by the Holy Spirit.
I’m a new creation. And I’m being renewed day by day.
Both things are true. And understanding both is giving me incredible freedom.
I don’t have to pretend I’m already perfect. I can be honest about where I’m still struggling without questioning whether I’m really saved.
I can rest in what Jesus already finished while actively cooperating with what the Holy Spirit is still doing.
That’s the beautiful tension of progressive sanctification that I’m discovering. I’m already everything God says I am. And I’m still becoming it.
I’m giving myself grace for the process. I’m learning to keep surrendering to the Holy Spirit bit by bit. And I’m trusting that the One who started a good work in me will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6).
I’m not just becoming a better version of myself. I’m becoming more and more like Jesus. And that’s worth every moment of this lifelong journey I’m on.