Lord’s Day, Vol. 10 No. 39
The New Man (2)
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. God gives to him a new nature, a changed nature as a result of the new birth. He becomes a child of God.
The new man, first of all, 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. This faith is not innate in an unregenerate man, the old man. But a gift of God, supernaturally given. 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.
The new nature is holy in character, pure and undefiled, reflecting the holiness of our heavenly Father. He is secondly a man of holiness.
(2) A Man of Holiness
He says “no” to sin, having been made clean, he abhors uncleanness – Proverbs 1:10 (KJV) My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
As we said earlier, the new nature is holy in character, pure and undefiled, reflecting the holiness of our heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:8 (KJV) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Where he sins, he sought the Lord for forgiveness – 1 John 1:8-10 (KJV) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
His daily confession would be – Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24).
The demeanour of such a man is first, a poverty of spirit (Matthew 5:3) and secondly, mourning for sin (Matthew 5:4).
Matthew 5:3 (KJV) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:4 (KJV) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
There is a holy inclination toward the things of God, a pleasure to do the will of God. This new character is called “meekness”. He fulfils the purpose for which he is created. God accords for him a place of existence and testimony upon earth to bring glory to God.
Matthew 5:5 (KJV) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
The meek man has an inclination to love and obey the holy commandments of God – Psalm 119:97 (KJV) MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
(3) A Man in Sweet Fellowship with God
The new man lives in praise and sweet communion with God in private and public worship.
Freed from the bondage of sin and its misery and he enjoys the beauty of holiness and blessed fellowship with the Godhead.
Psalm 104:33-34 (KJV) I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
Psalm 29:1-2 (KJV) A Psalm of David. Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
There is a sweetness of life that comes through that communion effected by meditation upon God’s Word through prayer. His life is lived to bring glory to God.
There is a newfound love to be in the house of God to worship Him on the Lord’s Day and a desire to fellowship with Him in corporate prayer with God’s people.
The psalmist described well this deep desire for fellowship with God through worship – Psalm 84:1-4 (KJV) To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. How amiable (lovely) are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. 3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. 4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
He finds himself fully satisfied with communion with God dwelling with Him in His House – Psalm 84:10 (KJV) For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Fourthly, he has an insatiable appetite for God’s Word.
(4) A Man Hungering After Righteousness
The new man finds a persevering strength to after God fully enjoying the blessings that come with it – Psalm 63:8 (KJV) My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
Jesus describes well in Matthew 5:6 (KJV) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.
There is a great desire and appetite to be constantly immersed in the meditation and study of God’s Word for therein our spiritual being is nourished and strengthened.
The psalmist in Psalm 119:1-40 speaks of the blessedness of embracing God’s Word showing us the cleansing (v9-16), counselling (v17-24), strengthening (v25-32) and establishing (v33-40) power of God’s Word.
The Word of God cleanses the soul. Defilement of sin in the believer’s life can be cleansed.
The secret is in the believer’s quiet time, “with my whole heart have I sought Thee”. Not only is God’s Word a cleansing power for the young man, but it also does the same for the old.
The believer’s quiet time is private devotion time, set aside for the purpose of cultivating a rich spiritual life. It is an appointment with God. The believer’s quiet time seeks to move him/her from a state of stress to a state of rest. The cultivation of a calm spirit in the peace and joy of God is the frame of a man in touch with God. The believer’s quiet time is the high point of private worship. The elements of private devotion are prayer, the reading and meditation of God’s Word. He considers God’s Word as true riches (v14).
What is God’s message for me on this day? The quiet time must not deteriorate to a thoughtless routine. It must not take away the excitement and delight of the soul in the pursuit of God. Yet there is a need to have the self-discipline to cultivate a habit of a lifelong devotion to God.
When we hide God’s Word in our hearts, it has a sanctifying effect on the believer. Therefore, the psalmist encourages us to rejoice, meditate and delight in God’s Word. The cleansing power of God’s Word must be experienced.
There is a persevering desire to know God and experience Him personally, a desire to trust and obey and laws of God – Psalm 119:33 (KJV) HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
To be continued….
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee