Stand your Ground

Introduction:

Years ago, I used to play video games – a lot. C.O.D. was my game. Like all C.O.D. players the object was to be the best. And for the most part the only way to do that was to belong to the best clan. And for those of you who don’t know what I mean by clan, it is you team, your people, your identity. The clan that you belong to showed your worth. It determined all your stats – win lose record, KDR (kill death ratio) your rank and sometimes if you were in a good enough clan this wasn’t just for stats but for world recognition. There are leader board that give world standards based on how good you are of a player. Now obviously if you were a good player and a part of a great clan your states would be great. Now if you’re were a chump but were a part of a good clan and played as a team player or you could say had team unity your states would be good. And that would help your leader board position. Now these leader boards were not just to bust your pride. The higher you are on the leader board the more likely you would be noticed by the pro gaming industry. And the video gaming designers. So, every clan would have these tryouts.

Years ago, I used to play video games – a lot. C.O.D. was my game. Like all C.O.D. players the object was to be the best. And for the most part the only way to do that was to belong to the best clan. And for those of you who don’t know what I mean by clan, it is you team, your people, your identity. The clan that you belong to showed your worth. It determined all your stats – win lose record, KDR (kill death ratio) your rank and sometimes if you were in a good enough clan this wasn’t just for stats but for world recognition. There are leader board that give world standards based on how good you are of a player. Now obviously if you were a good player and a part of a great clan your states would be great. Now if you’re were a chump but were a part of a good clan and played as a team player or you could say had team unity your states would be good. And that would help your leader board position. Now these leader boards were not just to boost your pride. The higher you are on the leader board the more likely you would be noticed by the pro gaming industry. And the video gaming designers. So, every clan would have these tryouts.

Now of course there are certain qualities that the leaders would look for. Of course, there was always these people who would be really good at the games but they had so pride and were driven by selfish ambition they could not play as a team. Therefore, we always had try outs. And if you passed the tryout text, we would let you play with us for a while to see if you were worthy to be in our clan. This process took some time. We wanted to make sure that even when we weren’t playing together as a clan you still had the clan’s universal purpose in mind always. So, one of your rules for the Galaxy clan was that while you were Proving your Worth, you could not play C.O.D without a clan member with you. But what people didn’t know was that when we were getting ready to recruit, we took our clan tags off our gamer name and just played the games – we had designated spy’s you could say. As we would run into potential recruits be would befriend them and play with them for a while – without letting them know that we were a part of a clan. Then when we were ready to recruit one of the spies would act all excited and tell the would be recruit that they were just excepted to try out for our clan and one of their requirement were to bring someone they though were worthy to try out with them.

Years ago, I used to play video games – a lot. C.O.D. was my game. Like all C.O.D. players the object was to be the best. And for the most part the only way to do that was to belong to the best clan. And for those of you who don’t know what I mean by clan, it is you team, your people, your identity. The clan that you belong to showed your worth. It determined all your stats – win lose record, KDR (kill death ratio) your rank and sometimes if you were in a good enough clan this wasn’t just for stats but for world recognition. There are leader board that give world standards based on how good you are of a player. Now obviously if you were a good player and a part of a great clan your states would be great. Now if you’re were a chump but were a part of a good clan and played as a team player or you could say had team unity your states would be good. And that would help your leader board position. Now these leader boards were not just to bust your pride. The higher you are on the leader board the more likely you would be noticed by the pro gaming industry. And the video gaming designers. So, every clan would have these tryouts.

Now of course there are certain qualities that the leaders would look for. Of course, there was always these people who would be really good at the games but they had so pride and were driven by selfish ambition they could not play as a team. Therefore, we always had try outs. And if you passed the tryout text, we would let you play with us for a while to see if you were worthy to be in our clan. This process took some time. We wanted to make sure that even when we weren’t playing together as a clan you still had the clan’s universal purpose in mind always. So, one of your rules for the Galaxy clan was that while you were proving your worth, you could not play C.O.D without a clan member with you. But what people didn’t know was that when we were getting ready to recruit, we took our clan tags off our gamer name and just played the games – we had designated spy’s you could say. As we would run into potential recruits be would befriend them and play with them for a while – without letting them know that we were a part of a clan. Then when we were ready to recruit one of the spies would act all excited and tell the would be recruit that they were just excepted to try out for our clan and one of their requirement were to bring someone they though were worthy to try out with them.

Now of course there are certain qualities that the leaders would look for. Of course, there was always these people who would be really good at the games but they had so pride and were driven by selfish ambition they could not play as a team. Therefore, we always had try outs. And if you passed the tryout text, we would let you play with us for a while to see if you were worthy to be in our clan. This process took some time. We wanted to make sure that even when we weren’t playing together as a clan you still had the clan’s universal purpose in mind always. So, one of your rules for the Galaxy clan was that while you were Proving your Worth, you could not play C.O.D without a clan member with you. But what people didn’t know was that when we were getting ready to recruit, we took our clan tags off our gamer name and just played the games – we had designated spy’s you could say. As we would run into potential recruits be would befriend them and play with them for a while – without letting them know that we were a part of a clan. Then when we were ready to recruit one of the spies would act all excited and tell the would be recruit that they were just excepted to try out for our clan and one of their requirement were to bring someone they though were worthy to try out with them.

Now what this opened the door for us to be able to see this person’s character. If they were going to act the same way when they were with us or not. It helped us to determine it the would be new clan member would humble himself and play like we wanted him to for the greater good of the team. Or if he would have his own selfish ambition and conceit on his mind more often than not. It saddens me to say that even though many people had a great KDR, because of pride, they could not play by the rule so, they were not in our clan. Do you know what Pride stands for? - Please Remember I Destroy Everything. So, more times than I could count the person Proved to not be worthy to be in our clan.

Now what this opened the door for us to be able to see this person’s character. If they were going to act the same way when they were with us or not. It helped us to determine it the would be new clan member would humble himself and play like we wanted him to for the greater good of the team. Or if he would have his own selfish ambition and conceit on his mind more often than not. It saddens me to say that because of pride, there were a ton of great players that were not in our clan. Do you know what Pride stands for? - Please Remember I Destroy Everything. So, more times than I can count the person couldn’t Prove their spot but they proved to not be worthy to be in our clan.

Now the question I have for you is, do you think the passage that was just read for us is talking about our worth in the same way or that we have to Prove our Spot by doing better on the try out? Look at this passage with me in the Word of God says,

Text:

Now the question I have for you is, do you think the passage that was just read for us is talking about our worth in the same way or hat we have to Prove our Spot? Or that we have time to do better on the try out. Look at this passage with me in the Word of God says,

Text:

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Text:

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Is Paul saying we should live our live in a way that gains the gospel of Christ. And we do this by following this set of rules to Prove our Spot?

Is Paul saying we should live our live in a way that gains the gospel of Christ. And we do this by following this set of rules to “Prove our Spot?”

At first glance, it kind of seems that way. But to understand this we need to have a better understanding of two key point. The first one is what is the gospel of Christ? And the second – which is going to be the first one that we look at – what does Paul mean by “Let your manner of life be worthy”

Is Paul saying we should live our live in a way that gains the gospel of Christ. And we do this by following this set of rules to “Prove our Spot?”

At first glace it kind of seems that way. But to understand this we need to have a better understanding of two key point. The first one is what is the gospel of Christ? And the second – which is going to be the first one that we look at – what does Paul mean by “Let your manner of life be worthy”

So, what does “let your manner of life be worthy” represent? Paul said, in “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” (, ESV) This phrase “I have lived my life” is the is the same word that is translated “Let your manner of life” in our text. And it is clear in the Acts passage that it is referring to living a certain way because of something in compared to living your life to gain something, namely, worth. In other words, you could say that although sometimes you gain acceptance by proving you are worthy – like in the case of joining a team. But in another context, it means you prove you belong by the way you act. But don’t let that confuse you. There is a big difference between proving you belong or you could say representing your citizenship compared to gaining your acceptance.

So, what does “let your manner of life be worthy” represent?

At first glance, it kind of seems that way. But to understand this we need to have a better understanding of two key point. The first one is what is the gospel of Christ? And the second – which is going to be the first one that we look at – what does Paul mean by “Let your manner of life be worthy”

For example, some of you are on the football team. When you wanted to join the team did you go out and buy a helmet, shoulder pads, you uniform and walk around to prove that you were worthy to be on the football team? No. But when you wear your gear it proves you are on the team -right?

So, what does “let your manner of life be worthy” represent? Paul said, in ActsBut you can Prove your Spot, by knowing the Gospel is free

I know your thinking if it is a free gift from God,

How Can we live worthily for the gospel?

And I am glad you asked that’s just what I want to talk about next!

You can prove your spot by Developing in your spot

Look at that Clay read to us. Paul says,

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

Notice what Paul is describing here in these verses on are some of the fruit from receiving the free gift of eternal life. When you receive this gift, God gives you new life by ripping out your heart of stone and giving you a new heart () and this is the promised gift of the holy Spirit (Acts1:8, ) And because of this new life, their will be a progressive change in your heart that will cause you to be more and more like Christ. says, we are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

This means step by step little by little. The big theological word to describe this process is “sanctification” This is something that you along with God’s help develop. And Paul gives some examples here. He said, in v.2

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 23:1 “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” (ActBut you can Prove your Spot, by knowing the Gospel is free

I know your thinking if it is a free gift from God,

How Can we live worthily for the gospel?

And I am glad you asked that’s just what I want to talk about next!

You can prove your spot by Developing in your spot

Look at that Clay read to us. Paul says,

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

Notice what Paul is describing here in these verses on are some of the fruit from receiving the free gift of eternal life. When you receive this gift, God gives you new life by ripping out your heart of stone and giving you a new heart () and this is the promised gift of the holy Spirit (Acts1:8, ) And because of this new life, their will be a progressive change in your heart that will cause you to be more and more like Christ. says, we are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

This means step by step little by little. The big theological word to describe this process is “sanctification” This is something that you along with God’s help develop. And Paul gives some examples here. He said, in v.2

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, s 23:1, ESV) This phrase “I have lived my life” is the is the same word that is translated “Let your manner of life” in our text. And it is clear in the Acts passage that it is referring to living a certain way because of something in compared to living your life to gain something, namely, worth. In other words, you could say that although sometimes you gain acceptance by proving you are worthy – like in the case of joining a team. But in another context, it means you prove you belong by the way you act. But don’t let that confuse you. There is a big difference between proving you belong or you could say representing your citizenship compared to gaining your acceptance.

Well in the same way that is what Paul is saying here. The passage could read, “Because you are already worthy of the gospel live out your citizenship or behave like citizens of the gospel of Christ.

For example, some of you are on the football team. When you wanted to join the team did you go out and buy a helmet, shoulder pads, you uniform and walk around to prove that you were worthy to be on the football team? No. But when you wear your gear it proves you are on the team -right?

But how can we live worthily for the gospel?

Well in the same way that is what Paul is saying here. The passage could read, “Because you are already worthy of the gospel live out your citizenship or behave like citizens of the gospel of Christ.

You can Prove your Spot, by Knowing your Spot.

But how can we live worthily for the gospel?

And that happens by embracing the truth of the gospel.

You can Prove your Spot, by Knowing your Spot.

And that happens by embracing the truth of the gospel.

And Because of your worth, the gospel proves your value.

God is the creator of all thing and he created everything by the power of his word. He just spoke it into existence. His word is the source of all life. And because God the ultimate authority and has created everything, his creation is accountable to him - rather they admit it or not.

The Bible tells that God saved his most valuable creation for last. It says in , "Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (, ESV).

God is the creator of all thing and he created everything by the power of his word. He just spoke it into existence. His word is the source of all life. And because God the ultimate authority and has created everything, his creation is accountable to him - rather they admit it or not.

In other words, God created us to be like himself but different. He created us to be in a relationship with him – Notice the verse says, “Let us” . . . “our image.” This is the Triune God. 1 God but 3 different people. As a matter of fact, the root passage in Philippians that we are looking at is more descriptive of the nature of our Triune God – Father, Son, Spirit. And this eternal existent relationship of the Triune God created us to be in relationship with him.

The Bible tells that God saved his most valuable creation for last. It says in , "Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (, ESV).

Likewise, he created us to have authority over all of creation, that is, everything but God. This is clear by the wording of having dominion over everything and subdue it. And humanity live for while in complete communion with God. But the first humans broke their relationship with God. You see God gave them authority and control over the earth but told him “not to eat of the tree of knowledges of good and evil, and if they did eat it they would die” (). Many people miss the point here and don’t understand the significance of this. It’s not a matter of being the big deal of eating some fruit. The big deal is the fact that if they loved God more than anything else they would obey God and they would be in line with all creation. But if they disobeyed God they would be rejecting not only his authority, but rejecting a relationship with him. If they did that, God said that would the reason he would have no choice but to put them to death for sinning.

In other words, God created us to be like himself but different. He created us to be in a relationship with him – Notice the verse says, “Let us” . . . “our image.” This is the Triune God. 1 God but 3 different people. As a matter of fact, the root passage in Philippians that we are looking at is more descriptive of the nature of our Triune God – Father, Son, Spirit. And this eternal existent relationship of the Triune God created us to be in relationship with him.

Now of course many people look at this like a baby that covers their eyes and thinks that because they reject the fact of seeing you means it will all go away. Like when we were kids and though If I hid under the bed the boogie man couldn’t find me. In other words, just because you don’t acknowledge authority doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

Likewise, he created us to have authority over all of creation, that is, everything but God. This is clear by the wording of having dominion over everything and subdue it. And humanity live for while in complete communion with God. But the first humans broke their relationship with God. You see God gave them authority and control over the earth but told him “not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and if they did eat it they would die” (). Many people miss the point here and don’t understand the significance of this. It’s not a matter of being the big deal of eating some fruit. The big deal is the fact that if they loved God more than anything else they would obey God and they would be in line with all creation. But if they disobeyed God they would be rejecting not only his authority, but rejecting a relationship with him. If they did that, God said that would the reason he would have no choice but to put them to death for sinning.

Now of course many people look at this like a baby that covers their eyes and thinks that because they reject the fact of seeing you means it will all go away. Like when we were kids and though If I hid under the bed the boogie man couldn’t find me. In other words, just because you don’t acknowledge authority doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

The Bible tells us that Adam and Eve live a life in holy relationship with God for quite some time. We don’t know how long that was but what we do know is that everything was perfect – well almost perfect. The Bible says they we both naked and not ashamed (). Now that is a good thing.

But the reason I said almost was because Satan came to Adam and Eve to tempt them. The First thing he did was attack the authority of God’s word. He said, “Did God actually say you shall not eat of any tree in the garden” ()? No this was an attack on the authority of the Word of God. And then he told them that because they were made in the image of God they didn’t have to listen to God they could become their own god. After Eve told Satan that God said they would die if they ate from the tree in the midst of the garden – that is the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Satan replied, “You will not surely die” (). Again, this was a direct attack of the authority of God. It was at this time that Satan told them that God didn’t wasn’t them to eat of the tree because their eyes would be opened and the would be just like God. In other words, they would become their own god.

The Bible tells us that Adam and Eve live a life in holy relationship with God for quite some time. We don’t know how long that was but what we do know is that everything was perfect – well almost perfect. The Bible says they we both naked and not ashamed (). Now that is a good thing.

But the reason I said almost was because Satan came to Adam and Eve to tempt them. The First thing he did was attack the authority of God’s word. He said, “Did God actually say you shall not eat of any tree in the garden” ()? No this was an attack on the authority of the Word of God. And then he told them that because they were made in the image of God they didn’t have to listen to God they could become their own god. After Eve told Satan that God said they would die if they ate from the tree in the midst of the garden – that is the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Satan replied, “You will not surely die” (). Again, this was a direct attack of the authority of God. It was at this time that Satan told them that God didn’t wasn’t them to eat of the tree because their eyes would be opened and the would be just like God. In other words, they would become their own god.

It was at that very moment that all creation would be condemned and because of the sin of the first man Adam all his offspring would be born into sin. Being cut from God. And although Adam and Eve did not die a physical death right on the spot they died a spiritual death right on the spot. It is at this point that we learned the wage of sin is death. Not one person who was ever born from that time on would be able to be born without sin.

God created us to be in relationship with us not to condemn us to death before we were born. And although God loving and compassionate he doesn’t leave the guilty unpunished (). The Bible teaches us that “None are righteous, no not one” () “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom3:23) and “the wage of sin is death” (). You have sinned I have sinned everyone who has ever been born has sinned and that means we have rejected a relationship with God. Because of this we all deserve death. If God was to save one person in all humanity he would be merciful.

It was at that very moment that all creation would be condemned and because of the sin of the first man Adam all his offspring would be born into sin. Being cut from God. And although Adam and Eve did not die a physical death right on the spot they died a spiritual death right on the spot. It is at this point that we learned the wage of sin is death. Not one person who was ever born from that time on would be able to be born without sin.

Therefore, God had a plan to bring mankind back into relationship. He would put one man to death and count the sins for human to be paid for by this one man. But this man had to be born sinless. The only way that could happen be by the power of the word of God that calls all things into creation. Well tells us that the Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us. He was born but not created. He might have ben born of a woman but He had no earthy father. He was God in the flesh or you could say the God-man. And our passage in Philippians tells us about this. Starting in v. 5 the Bible says,

God created us to be in relationship with us not to condemn us to death before we were born. And although God loving and compassionate he doesn’t leave the guilty unpunished (). The Bible teaches us that “None are righteous, no not one” () “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” () and “the wage of sin is death” (). You have sinned I have sinned everyone who has ever been born has sinned and that means we have rejected a relationship with God. Because of this we all deserve death. If God was to save one person in all humanity he would be merciful.

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

Therefore, God had a plan to bring mankind back into relationship. He would put one man to death and count the sins for human to be paid for by this one man. But this man had to be born sinless. The only way that could happen be by the power of the word of God that calls all things into creation. Well tells us that the Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us. He was born but not created. He might have ben born of a woman but He had no earthy father. He was God in the flesh or you could say the God-man. And our passage in Philippians tells us about this. Starting in v. 5 the Bible says,

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,

7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

(ESV)

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (, ESV)

Jesus did this because he wanted to have a relationship for eternity with you. But you have sinned against him deserving death not just anyone could pay the wage of the sins for the whole world. It had to be God himself, because God is the only one who was without sin. So, if God put to death a sinner in place of a sinner it wouldn’t pay the wage of the sins of the world Not to mention if there was some other means of saving man that other means would be above man’s authority and man would worship it rather than God. So, God put to death the God-man which would be the acceptable wage for the sins of the world. But because Jesus is God, Death has no dominion over him and he was resurrected three days later. Jesus who is the word of God and the God-man told us “the wage of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus” (Roman 6:23).

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not something you Prove you are worth to receive – because you are not worthy, But God in his Great love set his eyes on you sending his own Son to live the life that you couldn’t live and die the death that you deserve so that you could have eternal life with him – Just like the way he promised in the beginning all you have to do is trust his Word.

Jesus did this because he wanted to have a relationship for eternity with you. But you have sinned against him deserving death not just anyone could pay the wage of the sins for the whole world. It had to be God himself, because God is the only one who was without sin. So, if God put to death a sinner in place of a sinner it wouldn’t pay the wage of the sins of the world Not to mention if there was some other means of saving man that other means would be above man’s authority and man would worship it rather than God. So, God put to death the God-man which would be the acceptable wage for the sins of the world. But because Jesus is God, Death has no dominion over him and he was resurrected three days later. Jesus who is the word of God and the God-man told us “the wage of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus” (Roman 6:23).

You see this is not one of those things that requires you to gain your spot in Heaven by proving you worth on Earth.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not something you Prove you are worth to receive – because you are not worthy, But God in his Great love set his eyes on you sending his own Son to live the life that you couldn’t live and die the death that you deserve so that you could have eternal life with him – Just like the way he promised in the beginning all you have to do is trust his Word.

You see this is not something that requires you can gain your spot in Heaven by proving you worth on Earth.

But you can Prove your Spot, by knowing the Gospel is free

I know your thinking if it is a free gift from God,

But you can Prove your Spot, by knowing the Gospel is free

How Can we live worthily for the gospel?

I know your thinking if it is a free gift from God,

How Can we live worthily for the gospel?

And I am glad you asked that’s just what I want to talk about next!

You can prove your spot by Developing in your spot

Look at that Clay read to us. Paul says,

You can prove your spot by Developing in your spot

Look at that Clay read to us. Paul says,

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

Look at that Clay read to us. Paul says,

Notice what Paul is describing here in these verses on are some of the fruit from receiving the free gift of eternal life. When you receive this gift, God gives you new life by ripping out your heart of stone and giving you a new heart () and this is the promised gift of the holy Spirit (Acts1:8, ) And because of this new life, their will be a progressive change in your heart that will cause you to be more and more like Christ. says, we are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Notice what Paul is describing here in these verses on are some of the fruit from receiving the free gift of eternal life. When you receive this gift, God gives you new life by ripping out your heart of stone and giving you a new heart () and this is the promised gift of the holy Spirit (, ) And because of this new life, their will be a progressive change in your heart that will cause you to be more and more like Christ. says, we are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.