Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

A man or woman who is saved has not just been rejuvendated or renovated - but rather they are a totally new creation. It is a hard concept to grasp; there is absolutely nothing in an individual that God can use to build into a perfect holy person - it's as if our structure - our person - is so rusty, so moth eaten there is nothing to build upon. But rather He has to begin again. For this reason Paul states that believers are a 'new creation'; new in every respect. This means we have done nothing to gain His favour for there was nothing good in us (Romans 7:18).