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The great difference between the bulk of professors and real Christians is this, the former are patched, and mended, and decorated, and ornamented, and transformed; nay, not transformed, but rather changed, or metamorphosed into the appearance of something that they are not. Will you bear with a familiar simile before I enter immediately on my text? Suppose that in some of our Sunday Schools the children had a doll that they had nursed and dressed very prettily, after their own fashion, and some one had beaten it, and bruised it, and torn its dress, and then painted it again, and put it on a new dress, they could not say it was a new doll, it would only be a mended one. This is just the character of religion in our day — it has no new life. What, then, does avail? "A new creature."

I. THE TITLE OF A REAL CHRISTIAN. A new creature — a new creation — the workmanship of God. The prominent characteristic of this new creature is spirituality. It is the reigning principle, and it will manifest itself wherever he goes, whatever he does.

II. THE HOUSEHOLD WHICH ALL SUCH NEW CREATURES CONSTITUTE. The living Church of the living God. The Temple of Jehovah. The Body of Christ.

III. THEIR EMPLOYMENTS AND THEIR DESTINY. Now if God has made you a new creature, the first end and employment He has in view, is the glory of His own name. Ye are not your own, says the apostle, but ye are bought with a price — wherefore, glorify God in your bodies, and in your spirits, which are God's." Again, "Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God, giving thanks to His name." Look again, for a moment, at the very salvation of the soul itself. More ought to be said and taught about the perfections of Deity being glorified when I get home, than the mere fact of my escaping hell and getting into rest. The latter is glorious to me, but the former is glorious to Him. Moreover, among the employments, and the end of God's new creation, is the obtaining of spiritual blessings. Are you, a new creature, employed thus in God's vineyard? Then do you ask how every day is employed for such a purpose? One thing more, and I close — the destiny. I dwell upon that with especial delight, and it fires my soul with sacred joy. What is it? Why just to dwell with my God. I do not want any other explanation. I know I must enter heaven to understand it.

(Joseph Irons, D. D.)

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KJV: For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

WEB: For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.