Spiritual Genetic Modification

Hi Peter,

I appreciated this Sunday the idea that nothing really significant happens without sacrifice. Food for thought!

But what I want to ask you about comes from a verse you read to us from 1 Cor 5:17, “therefore is anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. The old has gone. The new has come.
And I want to ask you how we can really understand that.

On the one hand this is a very radical statement about newness, but on the other hand it seems that life is much the same – we look the same, our personalities are basically the same, and the way we think and act in initially more like we’ve always been, than something we never have been. The old doesn’t seem to have gone at all, at least not in my experience.

I’ve been trying to think of a metaphor that honors the radical-ness of what I see in Scripture with the reality that I don’t seem to be that new at all. The best I can come up with is the idea of a kind of spiritual genetic modification. In genetic modification the plant or animal looks the same but is in actual fact, technically, a new creation, which will, over time, show new characteristics.

What do you think? I would be grateful if you could post my question and the answer on the website-perhaps inviting other comments if you wish.


Hi child of God

I think that the metaphor that you have used to describe this new creation is a good one. Spiritual genetic modification. Our physical does not change, although we wish it did, and many things about us stay the same. So how does this new creation work?

When we join in the life of Jesus we are caught up in the relationship of God, the trinity. By his Spirit we are made new and now able to join in the unique relationship of God. Jesus’ life was the ultimate model of how this new life is lived out and we are to attempt the same. We will never be Jesus, the unique son of God, but we are adopted into this life. We do not see how this works out initially though. We might feel different on occasion but we in ourselves do not see us as a new creation when we look in the mirror.

Taking your metaphor further we could say that it is only when the situation arises that the modification shows its usefulness.
Look at the frost fighting tomato. It looks like a normal one but the modification to help produce a natural anti-freeze shows up when a frost hits and the tomato survives. Like this our new creation and connection with God shows up when the season appears. When we live our normal lives it can be hard for us and others to see this creation but when the right season comes we see the work of this modification. The peace, compassion, justice, humility and other characteristics of God are given to us by the Sprit of Christ. After a few ‘seasons’ of seeing the modification our lives show the change more and more, for us and, more importantly, others to see.

We are changed in a way that we cannot see but can acknowledge. Look back over your life and you will see the change in effect. The changed attitude or kind-er words spoken. The Grace to enter into this relationship is one that we are to give to others. This is the new creation. To live like others in a world that changes and asks us to respond. The difference is that we respond out of what we have been given. Grace given to us to enter into the relationship of God and grace to introduce others to Christ. The Spirit guides and prompts us to live this way and to show the new creation we have.

Cheers
Ben