I have taken pen in hand to write an explanation to you of an incorrect interpretation that has become prominent in the minds of many people. Despite the fact that the following interpretation is faulty, it is commonly misunderstood and taught. My concern is that good people are in danger of believing an error. Bad doctrine is often believed when repeated enough times, or when spoken by influential teachers. We need the spiritual fortitude to study the Word to show ourselves as approved workers who rightly divide God’s Word. Our own teaching must be rooted in accurate interpretation so that we may speak a clear message of free grace to the lost and motivate the saved to godliness and service through a proper understanding of God’s grace and goodness. For lack of such teaching, many are confused and bewildered over a simple text.
"…henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we Him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new."

-II Cor. 5:16,17

The Error

Common interpretation of this verse includes the idea that since all things are made new for believers, then all believers naturally and automatically are freed from sin habits (old things).

Correction

If this interpretation is true, then it follows that a simple litmus test for establishing whether a person is saved or not is to look at that person’s life to see if he still sins. If sins are still present then obviously the person would not be saved, since old things are still present. We need to be honest with the text and admit that the presence of any sin would be representative of a lost condition. We also must admit that none of us would pass such a test.

As long as there is any sin present, a person cannot truthfully say that old sins have passed away. God forbid that we would ever attempt to put a yoke on others that not even we ourselves can bear.

What Does It Really Mean?

It is not old sins that have become new. It is an old condition that has become a new (spiritual) condition. In other words, the person who was in a spiritually dead condition is now spiritually alive. He who before faith was separated from God (old), is now reconciled to God (new). What made the difference? Faith in Christ! When faith came, this person was birthed into God’s family. Before, he was a stranger. Faith made him a child.

The behavior of a person at any given time may not be an accurate indicator of whether he is saved or not. We all sin. Rather than trying to convince us to look at our exterior condition, Paul tells us the very opposite in this context. He writes in verse 16 that we should not know one another by the flesh (exterior). Rather, we should know one another according to a new spiritual condition.

The key in understanding this context is the phrase, "in Christ." It is our standing in Christ that made us new. Hopefully our behavior will grow towards matching our standing. Being in Christ certainly should change our behavior, but growth can be a long process. Young believers need a proper motivation that encourages them towards growing in grace and knowledge.

A Proper Motivation

It is extremely important that believers relate to one another according to the new spiritual condition that all believers have in Christ. It is also extremely important that Believers anchor the assurance of their salvation in the fact that they are in Christ by faith, and not in the mistaken and dishonest notion that they have no more sin. The common and incorrect teaching of II Cor. 5:17 undoubtedly leads many to assume that they have never really been saved, since old sins are still present. Doubters don’t grow. Proper interpretation and correct teaching will guide believers to view themselves as being in an exciting, new condition in Christ. As believers properly understand their new spiritual position in Christ, they will be much more likely to grow towards godliness than if we try to "guilt" them into it with faulty teaching.