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I. GOD IS THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR OF THE NEW CREATURE, AND ALL THINGS WHICH BELONG THEREUNTO. That will appear —

1. From the state of the person to be renewed. Can a stony heart of itself become tender? (Ezekiel 36:26), or a dead heart quicken itself? (Ephesians 2:5.)

2. From the nature of this work. Creation is a work of omnipotency, and proper to God.

3. From its connection with reconciliation. We can no more convert ourselves than reconcile ourselves to God. Renewing and reconciling grace are often spoken of together, as in the text. There must be a supernatural work upon us, to cure our unholiness, as well as a supernatural work without us, to overcome our guiltiness,

4. From the effect of this renovation, which is the implantation of the graces of faith, hope, and love, which are our light, life, and power.

5. From the fact that all things belonging to the new creature the Scripture ascribeth to God (Philippians 2:13).

6. What is the true use to be made of this doctrine?

(1) To make us sensible that it is a hard task to get the change of the new creature.

(2) To check despair. He that can turn water into wine can also turn lions into Iambs.

(3) To keep us humble — "All things are of God" (1 Corinthians 4:7).

(4) To make us thankful Give God the praise of changing thy nature, if from a bad man thou art become good.

(5) To inflame our love to God in Christ.

(6) To encourage a cheerful and continual dependence upon God for that grace which is necessary. If we did keep the stock ourselves the throne of grace would be neglected.

II. GOD IS THE AUTHOR OF THE NEW CREATURE, AS RECONCILED TO US IS CHRIST.

1. He would not give this benefit till justice be satisfied; not set up man with a new stock till there was satisfaction made for the breach of the old. All grace floweth from this, that God is become a God of peace to us (Hebrews 13:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).

2. God is never actually reconciled to us, nor we to Him, till He give us the regenerating Spirit; that is receiving the atonement (Romans 5:11). Nothing but the new creature will evidence His special favour (Romans 5:5). Other things may be given us during His anger, but the regenerating Spirit is never given in anger.

3. Apply all this.

(1) Let us seek after this reconciliation with God by Christ; then we may comfortably look to obtain every good thing at His hands.

(2) It showeth us how much we are obliged to Christ, who by His death hath satisfied God's justice and merited all the mercies promised.

(3) Let no breach fall out between God and you, lest it stop grace; the continual sanctification and perfection of man once regenerate dependeth upon this reconciliation, as well as the first renovation, God's sanctifying power, and the abode of His Spirit, is still necessary to renew us more and more.

(T. Manton, D. D.)

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KJV: And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

WEB: But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation;