A New Creature in Christ
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Galatians 6:15
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Romans 6:4
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Romans 7:6
But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Galatians 6:15
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Romans 6:4
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Romans 7:6
But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Some pople believe that once you become a Christian that everything will become pleasant and that you will no longer have problens. The Bible does not teach that belief. As a Christian you will continue to have to deal with life's issues just as everyone else. You will be tempted and tested and go through tribulations. But as a Christian, who keeps God's word and abides in His will, you have the ability to call upon God for your help, deliverance, and salvation.
2 Timothy 2:3
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:31-39:
31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matthew 28:20
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Revelation 2:10
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Just as Jesus defeated the Devil in the wilderness with His Word, Jesus will defeat the Devil in the last days with His Word, the sword.
Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Revelation 19:15
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Revelation 19:21
And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Revelation 19:15
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Revelation 19:21
And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Christians are in a spiritual warfare and must fight the Devil’s lies and deceits using the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. We are not ignorant of the devil's devices.
Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
2 Corinthians 10
3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5Casting 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;
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
2 Corinthians 2:11
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
2 Corinthians 10
3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5Casting 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;
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
2 Corinthians 2:11
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
We cannot fight the fight of faith without our sword, the Word of God. How can a person wage war against the enemy without a weapon? They can’t. And if they try, they will be slaughtered. People cannot fight the Devil without the Word of God, and the whole armor of God. We must know the Truth and be skilfull in the Truth. As we read in Matthew 4 above, the Devil also uses the sword to try to deceive, trick, and destroy us. Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that doesn't need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Ephesians 6
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Hebrews 12:1
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Ephesians 6
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Hebrews 12:1
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
1 Corinthians 9:24
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Psalms 37:4
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
But, what does it mean to "Delight thyself also in the Lord"? This is what it means ...
Isaiah 58:13
If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
Isaiah 58:14
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it .
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
But, what does it mean to "Delight thyself also in the Lord"? This is what it means ...
Isaiah 58:13
If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
Isaiah 58:14
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it .
Newness of Life
(From www.CFCMI.org)
(From www.CFCMI.org)
The word “Christian” means “like Christ.” Before we were saved, we were not like Christ (1 Peter 4:2-4). Since we have been baptized in Jesus’ name, we are saved from the wrath of God and walk in newness of life (Mark 16:16-18, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21). Our “newness” comes from walking as Christ would have us to walk (Roman 6:1-4, Mark 14:35-36).
God desires us to live in holiness and do good works (Hebrews 12:14, Ephesians 2:10). Holiness and good works are called good fruits unto God. A person can tell if he is walking in the Spirit of God by the evidence of the “fruit of the spirit” that he does/does not bear (Galatians 5:22-25, Ephesians 4:20-30, Matthew 7:16-20). Christianity is more than a belief of mind: it is a way of life (Galatians 2:20, Mark 12:30-31, Matthew 6:33, Colossians 3:17).
Just like the bridge from the Old to New Testament was Jesus Christ, the bridge from the old man to the new man is also Jesus Christ. From the point that a person is baptized in Jesus’ name, he is changed by the power of God into a new person (Romans 6:6-8, Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:4-10, Ephesians 2:11-17). This new man has new ways and habits to develop: new prayer, new fasting, new communication, new relationships (Luke 5:36-39, 1 Corinthians 5:6-9, Colossians 3:9-10).
As Christ daily sought out the will of the Father, even so should we as Christians (John 8:29). Because Christianity is a way of life, we must continually seek to draw closer to God in Christ’s ways (Philippians 3:8-15). In order to draw near to God, we must resist the Devil and all of his temptations (James 4:7-8). When we draw closer to God, we can see our shortcomings more clearly. This is why we must maintain a repentant heart before him (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Ephesians 5:1-7).
A religious person that has not been baptized in Jesus’ name is not a new creature in Christ, but is still an old creature, still full of sin, just with some new ways. God’s promises are for those who obey him (John 14:15, Acts 5:32, Hebrews 5:9). When the Lord comes back, he is coming for those who are walking as he walked: in spirit and truth (Romans 8:1-15, John 4:23-24).
God desires us to live in holiness and do good works (Hebrews 12:14, Ephesians 2:10). Holiness and good works are called good fruits unto God. A person can tell if he is walking in the Spirit of God by the evidence of the “fruit of the spirit” that he does/does not bear (Galatians 5:22-25, Ephesians 4:20-30, Matthew 7:16-20). Christianity is more than a belief of mind: it is a way of life (Galatians 2:20, Mark 12:30-31, Matthew 6:33, Colossians 3:17).
Just like the bridge from the Old to New Testament was Jesus Christ, the bridge from the old man to the new man is also Jesus Christ. From the point that a person is baptized in Jesus’ name, he is changed by the power of God into a new person (Romans 6:6-8, Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:4-10, Ephesians 2:11-17). This new man has new ways and habits to develop: new prayer, new fasting, new communication, new relationships (Luke 5:36-39, 1 Corinthians 5:6-9, Colossians 3:9-10).
As Christ daily sought out the will of the Father, even so should we as Christians (John 8:29). Because Christianity is a way of life, we must continually seek to draw closer to God in Christ’s ways (Philippians 3:8-15). In order to draw near to God, we must resist the Devil and all of his temptations (James 4:7-8). When we draw closer to God, we can see our shortcomings more clearly. This is why we must maintain a repentant heart before him (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Ephesians 5:1-7).
A religious person that has not been baptized in Jesus’ name is not a new creature in Christ, but is still an old creature, still full of sin, just with some new ways. God’s promises are for those who obey him (John 14:15, Acts 5:32, Hebrews 5:9). When the Lord comes back, he is coming for those who are walking as he walked: in spirit and truth (Romans 8:1-15, John 4:23-24).