“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.
When we are born again, we are a new creature in Christ Jesus. Old things pass away and all things become new when are faith is placed solely and exclusively in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. The Spirit of regeneration (the Holy Spirit) we receive upon Salvation does not rehabilitate the old creature but regenerates a new creature.
The outward circumstances of the regenerated Believer may or may not change. Our circumstances are not the fruit of the Spirit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
Job’s friends are a dime a dozen. Be certain to never judge the circumstances of a Brother or Sister and consider that their “fruit”.
“2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3 And you have respect to him that wears the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit you here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand you there, or sit here under my footstool:
4 Are you not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?” James 2:2-4
One thing is for certain when we are born again, there is a change on the inside…regardless of our outward circumstance. Discern the new creature. Recognize the fruit when the circumstances are not pleasing. Look for the out of season fruit…THAT is the new creature in Christ Jesus bearing the fruit of the Spirit.
-Donna Clark Warren
Living in The Spirit 