Lord’s Day, Vol. 10 No. 38
The New Man
The new birth brings forth the new man — a spiritual man, living on a new plane touching on the divine. A man of faith in God through Christ is a technical description. The word “new” means of a new kind, unprecedented, novel, uncommon, unheard of. This is the word the Apostle Paul used to describe his new life in Christ. Whereas before he was a blasphemer of Christ and His followers persecuting the church, he was her chief advocate after his conversion. A complete change and turnaround.
The Apostle Paul described the new man as a most precious possession of God – chosen by the Father before the world was ever created to be a child of God (Ephesians 1:4), purchased by the Son unto holiness for sweet fellowship with God (Ephesians 1:7) and sealed by the Holy Spirit to a most splendid, unimaginable, and undefiled heavenly inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14; cf. 1 Peter 1:4-5).
Ephesians 1:4 (KJV) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Ephesians 1:7 (KJV) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Ephesians 1:13-14 (KJV) In whom ye also trusted, after that, ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
1 Peter 1:4-5 (KJV) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
God gives to him a new nature, a changed nature as a result of the new birth. He becomes a child of God.
Ephesians 1:5 (KJV) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.
The word “adoption” means “the placing as a son”. It speaks of our position in the sight of God, we are called the “children of God”, being accorded the privileges and responsibilities of that position.
1 John 3:1-3 (KJV) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
The new nature is holy in character, pure and undefiled, reflecting the holiness of our heavenly Father. We shall enjoy the heavenly inheritance accorded to us by God through Christ – Ephesians 1:10-11 (KJV) That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
And the sign of our adoption is that the Holy Spirit leads us – Romans 8:14 (KJV) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
We are members of God’s spiritual family – Ephesians 2:19 (KJV) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
The new man, first of all, a man of faith.
- A Man of Faith
It was faith in the truth of the gospel that effects the new birth. Just as life comes to a new physical in an instance, a gift of God, spiritual life too, is a gift from God.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
This faith is not innate in an unregenerate man, the old man. But a gift of God, supernaturally given. The emphasis on its divine origin is evident in the literal translation, “Of God the gift” – ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation in whom also after that ye believed (Ephesians 1:13).
And why did God choose to save us? It pleased Him – having made known into us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself (Ephesians 1:9) – that by His grace, the unmerited favour of God, we are restored to properly reflect the image of God in us tarnished a result of sin.
We could not by any of our merits attain this blessed state of fellowship with God, “not of works”. In other words, nothing in ourselves could bring forth this salvation. It is all of Christ by His finished work in His life, death, resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father – In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7).
Christ takes the penalty for our sins onto Himself and gives to us in return His righteousness. All of these, effected by faith.
2 Corinthians 5:19-21 (KJV) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
We are counted righteous, to be right with God, justified before God by faith. And this faith that God first gives us will tarry with us till we are conducted by His power all the way to heaven – Romans 1:17 (KJV) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Thus, we are a new spiritual being – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
As such, the old life of sin and its misery is now a thing of the past. We are a new man in Christ – Ephesians 2:10 (KJV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
We are created unto Christ Jesus unto good works, to bear forth the attributes of God in the new life – Matthew 5:16 (KJV) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
The new man is a vessel unto honour, sanctified and meet for the Master’s use and prepared for every good work.
2 Timothy 2:19-21 (KJV) Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
To be continued….
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee