I believe that the failure to understand the new creation in Christ causes us to fail to see what really happened to us when we were on the cross with Jesus..when we rose again with Him.
The failure of not understanding the circumcision of the heart and flesh that occurs with the circumcision of Christ...causes all kinds of ideas to come to our natural minds.
The failure to see that the flesh is not the real us now. It has a parasite called sin in it. If we yield to it..bad stuff happens..if we yield to the new creation - Spirit we experience life and peace.
Paul said in 2 Cor 5:16 - from now on we know no man according to the flesh.
Then in verse 17 = If any man be in Christ he is a new creation, old things have passed away ( old man in Adam ). Behold ( look intently ) all things have become new.
Then we do this now that we are new creations in Christ.
Colossians 3:1-4 (NASB)
[SUP]1 [/SUP] Therefore since you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
[SUP]2 [/SUP] Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
[SUP]3 [/SUP] For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
[SUP]4 [/SUP] When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
Some things above are ..He is our righteousness, He is our Life, I have the mind of Christ. I am a new creation in Him! When we "see" who we really are in Him..it transforms us in out outward behavior. It renews our minds to the things of God.
It's beautiful! Our salvation is great. He is mighty!