◆“You Are Made New” (2 Corinthians 5:17) July 27, 2025

Today’s Scripture becomes even more vivid when we compare multiple translations.

In the New Japanese Bible (Shinkyo), the phrase is translated as “those who are united with Christ.” The Japanese Bible Society’s Common Translation says, “if anyone is in Christ,” while the New Japanese Translation 2017 renders it as “if anyone is in Christ (in the inner sense).” The phrase “something new has come” is translated variously as “something truly new has come” or “everything has become new.” The New Japanese Translation 2017 even adds, “Behold, everything has become new.”

Keeping these three translations in mind, let us explore the meaning of this verse.

First, consider the phrase “anyone.” This refers to everyone — regardless of race, gender, age, era, background, or past — whether their past was glorious or dark. This message is addressed to people of all times and all places. In other words, it’s something that can happen to you as well.

Have you ever wished to be made new? To start over again? To begin afresh?

Of course, some might say they are content with their lives — their income is stable, health is good, friends are around. That’s perfectly valid.

However, what is truly being questioned here is our relationship with God. And in light of that, we begin to realize that every person must be born again.

You may think, “Isn’t that a bit of an overstatement?” But if you continue to listen, I believe you will see that this is not a forced claim. For now, please just know that these words are spoken to you — they are God’s words to you.

Now, let’s look at the phrase: “The old has passed away, and something new has come.” Other translations put it: “The old has passed away, and behold, something truly new has come.” There is a clear contrast here — the old disappears, the new emerges. A transformation has taken place. The old is gone, and the new has come — a completely different state.

This change is so remarkable and astonishing that words like “truly” and “behold” are added for emphasis.

So then, what exactly is the “old,” and what became of it?

As we mentioned earlier, this verse is speaking about our relationship with God. The old relationship is gone. A new one has been created. The old relationship was an inverted one — where the true God was not recognized as God, not honored, while things that are not God were treated as divine and revered. That is the upside-down relationship Scripture speaks of.

But perhaps you’re thinking, “I don’t really have much interest in God.” Maybe you go to a shrine for New Year’s, but you don’t often think about God in your daily life.

That might be true. But what do people usually do when they go to a shrine? They pray — for good health, business success, academic achievement. Maybe even for specific things like “I want this” or “I need that.”

In those moments, you are playing the role of god. You determine what is good and bad for yourself, you decide what you need for your happiness, and then command the so-called divine to fulfill your desires. In this scenario, God has become your servant.

And if your wishes aren’t granted, you might think, “This god isn’t working,” and you move on to another. That self-centered state — putting yourself in the center and treating God as a tool — is what the Bible calls sin.

And sin carries responsibility. Judgment follows. The result, the Bible warns, is death — eternal separation from God.

But the Bible also tells us that this state — this relationship, this way of life — has passed away. It has been completely changed. A totally new thing has emerged.

This new thing is the restoration of that broken relationship. God becomes the center. He uses you for His purpose, blesses you, leads you, and grants you a life that is truly your best.

A journey begins — one where the God of grace is always with you. Of course, we can’t see God with our eyes, and we rarely hear His voice audibly. But over time, as you look back on your life, you begin to recognize that everything has worked together for good under His guidance.

You are given eternal life. You become a child of God, a member of His people.

When the relationship is upside down, we tend to think that happiness lies in everything going our way. But when you are made new, you begin to see that real blessing lies not in your plans, but in God’s will and His leading.

So then, how can we be made new?

The Scripture says, “If anyone is in Christ.” Where is the “connection” to Christ? That connection is found at the cross.

You may be wondering, “What does that mean?”

Certainly, following the teachings of Jesus — such as those found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) — is wonderful. Loving your enemies, turning the other cheek, not judging others… These are beautiful principles. But simply imitating Jesus’ way of life does not form that connection.

Gathering weekly for worship and attending church — these are good things. But they don’t form the connection either. Even participating in sacred rituals (though most Protestant churches don’t emphasize them) is not the connection.

These are all results that may come after the upside-down relationship is corrected. But only one thing is the true point of connection: Jesus Christ’s death on the cross.

Isaiah 53:5 says:
“He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

And verse 12 says, “He bore the sin of many.” Jesus interceded between us and God. He took on the judgment for our sins, for our inverted relationship, and He died in our place.

But on the third day, He rose again, victorious over sin and death.

Understanding that this event happened for you — and accepting that — is what forms the connection to Christ.

And apart from Jesus, there is no other way for sin to be forgiven or for the relationship with God to be made right.

Acts 4:12 declares:
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Finally, let us return to the beginning of today’s verse: “Anyone.”

This is a word of invitation — addressed to you.

So let me conclude by rephrasing today’s Scripture personally:

“If you are united with Christ, you are a new creation. The old relationship with God has passed away. Look! Everything has become new.”

Today, let us respond to this invitation.

As 2 Corinthians 6:2 says,
“Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

And for those who already know Jesus and have had their upside-down relationship corrected, you are now sent into the world carrying this Gospel.

Let me leave you with the words of the late professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, who recently went home to heaven:

“Everything else is temporary — fame, money, pride, appearance. Once you realize that, you understand that (the Gospel of Jesus Christ) is the only truth, and it’s important to help others know it.
That’s why, from now on, the first thing that comes to my mind is to become a messenger of God, my Lord and Savior. That’s what will lead me to where I’m meant to be.”

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Sermon script modified based on proofreading and translation with ChatGPT.