From Luther to the Brethren: The New Creation as the Governing Principle of Christian Life
Orientation
Many believers experience ongoing tension and a sense of condemnation, even after embracing justification by faith, because they lack the full biblical framework for life under grace.
- The law-gospel distinction provides initial assurance but can leave unresolved tension.
- Without seeing the new creation as the governing principle, believers default to law-based living.
- This leads to struggle, confusion, and a conscience never fully at rest.
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (Romans 7:24)
— Romans 7:24
Clarification
Christian life is not governed by law or by improving the old nature, but by the new creation, which is from God and hidden in Christ.
- The new creation is the true rule for the believer, not external commandments.
- This reality is known only through being renewed in spirit by the knowledge of Christ.
- It resolves the tension between law and grace by removing law as the governing principle.
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)
— 2 Corinthians 5:17
Structure
A complete understanding rests on distinguishing Israel's covenants from the Everlasting Covenant between the Father and the Son, which frames all blessing under grace.
- The Everlasting Covenant appoints the Son as Shepherd, Representative Man, and heir of all promises.
- Justification, sanctification, and reward are all secured in Christ and shared with us freely.
- This covenant establishes our position, rights, and privileges as co-heirs, seated in heavenly places.
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:6)
— Ephesians 2:6
Weight-Bearing Prose
The theological advance is recognizing that the new creation, revealed progressively after the Reformation, is the governing principle for the Christian. This is distinct from the law-gospel distinction, which, while providing initial assurance, left Luther and many since in tension. The cause of this tension is the lack of key Pauline distinctions: the new creation (2 Cor 5:17), the mystery of Christ and the Church (Eph 3:3-6), the flesh versus spirit dichotomy (Rom 8:5-9), and the distinct destinies of Israel, the nations, and the heavenly Church. The critical move is separating Israel’s old and new covenants from the Everlasting Covenant made between the Father and the Son (Gal 3:16). In this covenant, Christ is the appointed heir of all promises. Our justification, sanctification (which is Christ Himself), and reward (which is Christ as our inheritance) are all framed under this grace covenant, apart from law. The result is the abolition of enmity (Eph 2:14-16), direct access to God (Heb 10:20), and the Church’s unique identity as the Body of Christ, one with God and co-heirs, seated in heavenly authority (Eph 2:13-22; Rom 8:17). To reject these distinctions is to collapse back into a law principle, obscuring assurance, forfeiting liberty, and losing the present reality of our heavenly position.
Integration
Your standing is complete and secure in Christ. The framework is given not to create a new burden of understanding, but to dissolve the old burden of performance. The tension you may feel is not God’s design for you. In Christ, you are a new creation. Your life is hidden with Christ in God. Your position is seated in the heavenlies. This is not a goal to achieve but a reality to rest in. Christ is your righteousness, your sanctification, your redemption, and your reward. The assurance flows from His finished work and His secure covenant, not from your grasp of these truths. Let this knowledge anchor you. You are accepted in the Beloved. You are an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ. This is your permanent, unshakable place in grace.