What It Means to Be a New Creation in Christ

by Jaz James

Hey Love,

For many, the idea of being a "new creation in Christ" feels like a distant or impossible dream—especially if your life doesn’t fit the traditional mold of faith. But the beauty of God’s grace is that it meets you exactly where you are, no matter your circumstances. Being a new creation isn’t about erasing your past or pretending your struggles don’t exist; it’s about stepping into a renewed identity and purpose through Christ’s love.

Let’s explore what this transformation looks like, using examples from the lives of others who’ve experienced what it means to be made new in Christ.

A Fresh Start, No Matter Where You’ve Been

2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 

This verse doesn’t say “if you have it all together” or “if your life looks perfect.” It says anyone. That includes you, no matter what your journey has looked like so far.

Take Maria, for example. She started working in adult entertainment to pay off medical debt and help her family stay afloat. Over time, she began to feel weighed down by guilt and wondered if God could ever see her as more than the shame she felt. But when Maria surrendered her life to Christ, she found something amazing: forgiveness, grace, and a sense of peace she never thought possible.

For Maria, being a new creation didn’t mean her past disappeared—it meant she no longer let it define her. She began to see herself as God sees her: loved, worthy, and full of potential. She’s still working on her journey, but she knows she’s walking forward in freedom, not chained to her past.

Letting Go of Shame

Many strippers wrestle with shame—whether it’s from society’s judgment, their own choices, or circumstances outside their control. But when you become a new creation in Christ, shame loses its power over you.

Consider Jasmine, who grew up in a strict religious home and felt like she’d never live up to her family’s expectations. She turned to stripping for financial independence but also as a way to rebel against the rules that made her feel unworthy. When she encountered Christ through a strip club ministry, Jasmine realized God wasn’t interested in her image or her job—He was interested in her heart.

Jasmine began to release the shame she’d carried for years. She says, “For the first time, I felt free to be myself. I realized that God loved me, not some perfect version of me, but the real me.” 

Walking in New Purpose

Being a new creation isn’t just about letting go of the old—it’s also about stepping into something new. God has a purpose for your life, and when you’re in Christ, that purpose becomes clearer.

Sasha’s story is an incredible example. After years of dancing, Sasha felt called to use her experience to help others. She began mentoring younger women in the industry, offering them practical support and a listening ear. Sasha also started attending church and sharing her story with others, showing how God can bring beauty out of even the hardest circumstances.

For Sasha, being a new creation meant realizing her past wasn’t wasted—it was part of her story. She says, “I used to think my story disqualified me from being used by God. Now I know my story is the very thing He’s using to reach others.”

Becoming a New Creation

If you’re wondering what it means to be a new creation in Christ, know this: it’s about transformation, not perfection. It’s about God taking all the broken, messy, and painful parts of your life and making something beautiful out of them.

You don’t have to clean yourself up or have it all figured out to come to Christ. He’s ready to meet you exactly where you are and walk with you as you grow. Becoming a new creation is a journey—it’s about taking one step at a time, trusting that God’s grace is enough for every step of the way.

If you’re ready to take that step, start with a simple prayer: “God, I don’t have it all together, but I know I need you. Help me to trust your love and grace. Make me new in you.”

Your story isn’t over, and your past doesn’t define your future. In Christ, you are a new creation—loved, redeemed, and full of purpose. Keep walking forward, and trust that God is writing something beautiful with your life.

*****

Jaz James is the director of Strip Church and founder of Lace Warriors, a strip club ministry that serves over 200 entertainers in West Texas and Northern Mexico.