Title: The Saint's New Life
Contents
Ephesians 4:17 ~ 4:24
The common feature of those who do not know God is that they know God as God, but do not glorify God, and do not give thanks to God. It is to worship. (Romans 1:18-25)
However, since we were redeemed in Jesus Christ through God's special economy and learned more about Jesus Christ than others, we must live a responsible life and a new and changed life.
First, we must put off the old man (verse 22).
The old man refers to the person before receiving Jesus Christ. In other words, it refers to the state of a fallen natural man polluted by sin. To take off means to take off clothes.
Ultimately, the message of this verse is to be set free from your sinful state and break free from sin.
The old man is a natural man, like Adam. A person who lives outside of God's providence of creation.
A corrupt and wicked person, a sinful and corrupt person, a person who grows old and declines, a person who dies and is on the verge of destruction. The natural person is a morally corrupt person, and with respect to God, it is a dead human spirit.
If the Spirit of God dwells in you, then you are not in the flesh, but in the spirit. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not of Christ (Romans 8:9).
1. Natural people seem to be interested in spiritual things, but in reality they have little interest in them. Because they are more interested in worldly things.
Greater and better things (ambitions and promotions), more wealth (socialization and entertainment), desires and emotions (play and entertainment), desires and longings (comfort and comfort), status and wealth (drinking and eating), caring and recognition ( They care more about clothes and appearance) and have no interest in spiritual matters at all.
Romans 8:7 says that the carnal mind is hostile to God, for it does not submit to the law of God, nor can it do so.
2. The natural man thinks of God's works as foolishness. Fundamentally, he lives for his animal senses and for what attracts his attention.
It is an instinctive and impulsive person with a lot of worldly and material things.
A person who is more interested in status, money, wealth, stability, fame, power, ability, family, house, car, sex, food, clothing, and popularity.
However, the saints, we who are newly created in the image of God, put on only the Lord Jesus Christ and do not seek the lusts of the flesh (Romans 13:14).
Second, we must be renewed in spirit (verse 23).
The spirit (Hell, tho pneumatithunous) is literally the spirit of the heart. It means only to renew your mind. A true change in man must be done in the heart.
1. The change of heart is the change of our personality even through suffering. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 Therefore we do not lose heart, for though our outward man perishes, but our inwardly is being renewed day by day. It is said that our light tribulation, which we receive for a little while, works for us an exceedingly great and eternal weight of glory.
2 Corinthians 4:10-11 We always carry in our body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are living are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our dead bodies. You said you want to do it.
2. It is being renewed by the word of God. The Word of God transforms our souls. (Ephesians 5:26 Wash with water and purify with the word to sanctify)
3. It is being renewed in Jesus Christ. Being in Jesus is the psychology of knowing that if you leave Jesus you will die. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.
Third, we must be holy in righteousness and truth (verse 24).
Those who are created in God's image must be renewed with God's disposition (John 14:6). That is, all old people who have lost the image of God through sin must get rid of their false and ugly appearance and become a new person born again in Jesus Christ. .(Calvin)
1. to have the right attitude in all life
2. We must live a holy life in relationship with God. (Holiness) The saints who have learned and been born again in Christ are children of light in the Lord. Children of light must bear all the fruits of goodness, righteousness, and truth in a life of righteousness and truth. (Ephesians 5:8-9) Restoring the image of a new person is the saint of faith.
Conclusion We have entered the new year. I hope that you will put off your old self, which is the natural nature of the flesh, and become a new person who walks in righteousness and truth according to God's good will, and fulfill your responsibility as believers.