The Walk of A New Man
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17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Introduction
Introduction
In the beginning of chapter 4 Paul introduced his teaching on our walk. The emphasis was on walking in unity as a body of believers accomplishing the work of God through the method of God the local church! We are to walk in unity!
Now Paul expands on this thought and gets more personal as he outlines the purity of our walk. He uses a contrast to help us see this truth. On one hand we have the lost, God denying world around us and on the other we have the saint who has been forgiven and made part of the family of God.
Paul again directs our attention to a contrast. On one hand we have the lost, God denying world around us and on the other we have the saint who has been forgiven and made part of the family of God.
It is so tempting to “fit in” while we walk through this weary world, but God has something different planned for us.
Transition
Transition
As we look at the walk of the new man we will notice three important truths laid out for us to consider. We will consider the condition of the lost world, the conversion of the Saint and finally we will look at the commission of the Saint.
Notice first.....
I. The Condition of the Lost
I. The Condition of the Lost
Ep 4:17-
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
A. His Intellect
A. His Intellect
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
“the vanity of their mind.....understanding darkened........alienated from the life of God....ignorance that is in them....blindness of their heart”
The natural man does not posses the necessary tools to understand spiritual truth
The natural man does not posses the necessary tools to understand spiritual truth
Illustration: Television Antenna - Years ago when I was a kid, most people got their tv from an over the air signal. You would need an antenna on your home. Some were even motorized to change direction in order to get the appropriate signal.
In order to get understanding from the Lord we must have the appropriate equipment (The Holy Spirit of God).
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1 Co 2:6-
Man was created to be inhabited by God and in the lost world there is an emptiness in the soul of man - an emptiness that manifests itself in a multitude of perverse ideas / philosophies / Religious Systems / Political Schemes.....
Paul is saying that the man who is apart from God has no true intellectual connection with God
He says more about this man....
B. His Inclinations
B. His Inclinations
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
We must first understand that God etches his word on the heart of every man
There is no man who can ever stand before God one day and claim that he has not had ample opportunity to understand God - or to find God
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
“who being past feeling”
This simply means that they are no longer able to discern or feel the effect of sin - sin is progressive in this way
Illustration: Rare disease make child unable to feel pain - Associated Press 11/1/2004
PATTERSON, Ga. — Ashlyn Blocker’s parents and kindergarten teachers all describe her the same way: fearless. So they nervously watch her plunge full-tilt into a childhood deprived of natural alarms.
In the school cafeteria, teachers put ice in 5-year-old Ashlyn’s chili. If her lunch is scalding hot, she’ll gulp it down anyway.
On the playground, a teacher’s aide watches Ashlyn from within 15 feet, keeping her off the jungle gym and giving chase when she runs. If she takes a hard fall, Ashlyn won’t cry.
Ashlyn is among a tiny number of people in the world known to have congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis, or CIPA — a rare genetic disorder that makes her unable to feel pain.
“Some people would say that’s a good thing. But no, it’s not,” says Tara Blocker, Ashlyn’s mother. “Pain’s there for a reason. It lets your body know something’s wrong and it needs to be fixed. I’d give anything for her to feel pain.”
Paul said more about this in ....
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Simply stated.... the unsaved man has a corrupted mind and a corrupted will
So we have the Condition of the Lost…but we can also notice the....
II. The Conversion of the Saint
II. The Conversion of the Saint
20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
Notice how Paul reminds us again of what we have learned
Paul links the change in our life to a person not a precept or principle
He did not say “learned about Christ” - many have done that and were or have been saved
Illustration: Difference between know about and know - We can learn about a great many historical people from books, film and other media - I can get books on George Washington and learn much about the man but I will never “know George Washington” - in contrast, Christ is alive and I can not only learn about him I can learn him - in other words I can know him!
The whole of the Bible is the revelation of Christ
27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
We have looked at the condition of the lost and we have seen the conversion of the Saint…and now Paul draws our attention to....
III. The Commission of the Saint
III. The Commission of the Saint
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
We find 3 parts to this commission that Paul gives us
We find 3 parts to this commission that Paul gives us
A. Put off
A. Put off
“put off concerning the former conversation the old man”
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
B. Be Renewed
B. Be Renewed
B. Be Renewed
B. Be Renewed
“be renewed in the spirit of your mind”
If all we do is try and put off - and put on in our own power we will fail - we must renew our mind
The mind is where God desires to be on the throne - it is easy to put God on the throne of our outward life it is yet another thing entirely to be renewed in our minds and allow God to sit on that throne!
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Question : How do we renew our minds?
C. Put On
C. Put On
“put on the new man”
This is allowing God to have control of our hearts and let his Spirit live through us
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through - Our identification with Christ’s death, burial and Resurrection
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1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
Illustration: Jesus’ healing of Lazarus in -
44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Conclusion
Conclusion
New men, have new walks! The old man is dead and the new man should have control over a Christian. It would be a shame for a Christian to be living a life that could be mistaken for a lost pagan . Like Lazarus, we have been raised from the dead to walk with Christ and to sit at his table.
The Condition of the Lost - far from God with wicked imaginations and inclinations
“be renewed in the spirit of your mind
The Conversion of the Saint - Knowing Christ - not just knowing about Christ!
The Commission of the Saint - Put Off - Renew our Minds - Put on !!