Archaeology has confirmed much of the Bible and its historical figures. As a science, archaeology is precise and thorough. Layer upon layer of dirt and sand are delicately removed to reveal ancient urns, documents and other cultural artifacts. This made me think about how the Lord transforms each of us into new creations. Like an ancient urn, our old selves are dead spiritually. When we are born again, the Lord takes our body and exchanges our heart of stone for a heart of flesh. He gives His own Holy Spirit to indwell us. In so doing, He makes us a new creation. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (1)
When I was a child, we discovered in our barn silver-plated trophies from the previous owners’ champion Russian wolfhounds. Age had blackened them, and they were full of dents – not worthy of display anymore. I’m not sure why the owners discarded them, but we enjoyed playing with them. Imagine discovering a metallic urn in an archeological dig, tarnished, dirty and dented from wear. To polish it, you would gently remove the layers of sediment and tarnish, carefully working around the dents. After removing the layers of age, the urn would shine once more. Anyone who owns a piece of silver jewelry or flatware knows how rewarding it is to polish it back to its original shine.
Exposure to the air will make silver or brass tarnish. If we choose to embrace any of the present cultural sins, it will tarnish us. Just as the Lord warned Lot not to look back at Sodom and Gomorrah and its sin, we are not to look back longingly or return to our previous sins. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (2)
Talking to Israel in Isaiah, the Lord reminded them of this.
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing: now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (3)
The Holy Spirit within us makes us light in a dark world. We may not glow as Moses did, after time with the Lord, but our presence brings light into this present darkness. The Lord polishes us through the process of sanctification. Each time we choose Him over sin, we shine more brightly. Sometimes God uses discipline, out of love, to remove stubborn tarnish or habits that do not conform to His ways. The Lord tenderly works out the sin in our lives. Sometimes, it is painful, but the result is worth it.
The natural world displays new creations all around us in the plant and animal world. Babies are born and spring brings fresh growth of leaves on the trees, plants, and flowers in the forest and our gardens. Then the summer heat, wind and insects tarnish the leaves over time, and they fall to the ground. I am amazed that almost without exception, the leaves, even though colorful, have damage before they fall. Fortunately for us, the living world rests through winter and new green emerges in the spring. While we are on the earth, the best we will have is a spiritual new birth. When we get to heaven, we receive new eternal bodies, the new creation made complete, perfected by the Lord. Hallelujah!
“And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'”
Revelation 21:5 ESV
- 2 Cor 5:17 NIV (Emphasis mine.)
- Romans 6:23 ESV
- Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV
