The new, where is it?

<idle musing>
I have been musing for quite some time now about II Corinthians 5:17:

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! (NRSV)

Pretty straight forward, but I think most christians act as if it were translated a bit differently, more like this:

So, if anyone does all kinds of christian things, such as reading their bible, going to church, attending bible studies, praying, evangelizing, then they are becoming a new creature, eventually: everything old is hanging on for dear life and we have to work real hard at getting rid of it by prayer, fasting, and bible reading; see, sometime, in the far distant future, if we groan real loud in prayer, the new might start coming, if we live long enough. But, never mind all that, because I prayed the prayer and I'm going to heaven, but meantime I need to convert all kinds of people so they can enjoy being as miserable as I am in my continuing losing battle against sin.

Sounds preposterous, doesn't it? But isn't that the trap that we so easily fall into? As a friend of mine says, "We know we are saved by grace, but we spend the rest of our lives trying to prove we didn't need it!" Saved by grace, sanctified by works? Hardly!

You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly exhibited as crucified! The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? Did you experience so much for nothing?-- if it really was for nothing. Galatians 3:1-4 (NRSV)

By the way, I looked at the Greek for II Corinthians 5:17, and sure enough, the NRSV is accurate! I also noticed that Grace Roots has a similar post. I like his variations:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a repaired creation.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a fixed up creation.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is an overhauled creation.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a polished up creation.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a reorganized creation.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is an improved creation.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a PhotoShopped creation. LOL

How about using these words: reconditioned, refurbished, mended, patched, adjusted, renovated, recalibrated, tuned up, enhanced, modified, revised, altered, corrected, balanced, refitted, revived, refreshed, rejuvenated, made over, covered, doctored, reshaped, spruced up, changed. I'm sure you can think of more.

Personally, I prefer the original, it allows God to do the work that he already has done, if we would just get out of the way.
</idle musing>