Once a person is born again, he is a “new creature” (Gal 6:15). The word “new” here implies something that has never existed before. By the power and work of God, this person is instantaneously transformed from within the moment he believes and receives Christ as his personal Saviour and Lord. A “new creature” in Christ is characterized by the following:

1. He has a new world perspective (Gal 6:14):

The world has not changed, but the believer has changed. He now has a new perspective of the world. He will no longer be attracted by what the world has to offer. It is as if he is dead to the world. Before his salvation, the Apostle Paul had gloried in his heritage, education, and fervency in persecuting Christians. But after his salvation, he desired to glory “in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal 6:14), i.e. that everyone should believe and receive Christ as his Lord and Saviour. After salvation, Paul became indifferent to what the world had to offer. This was his new perspective of the world. As the believer matures spiritually, stronger will this perspective be.

2. He has a new spiritual walk (Gal 6:15-16):

The word to “walk” in Galatians 6:16 refers to the believer marching forward purposefully (like a soldier) to conform to holiness, virtue and piety as taught in the holy Scriptures (“this rule”), even if no one is with him. If he receives accolades from the world, he seeks only to glorify God. Once born again, Jews and Gentiles alike can march to conform to God’s way and will. All areas of the believer’s life will be guided and controlled by God’s Word. He will not do what is right in his own eyes. As the believer marches to the tune of holiness, peace will be on him. God has given us enough instructions (the Bible). We are to follow His tune of holiness, and not live according to our own ways.

3. He has a new world of suffering for his Saviour (Gal 6:17-18):

Paul concluded his epistle to the Galatians by stating that he had dealt sufficiently with the issue of the false gospel brought in by the false teachers; and that he had suffered for Christ for this truth. As new creatures in Christ, we must be prepared for a new life of suffering for Christ, for this world is hostile to Him and His followers. Like Paul, we are to face sufferings with courage, for God “…will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Cor 10:13).

Are you a “new creature”? This is the question each one of us must answer today.