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.
One of the lost doctrines in the Modern Church is that we are physically transformed when we get saved. It not JUST some spiritual decision, if is a transformation. Without this realization there is little desire to allow God to change our lives, because many make a profession out of guilt rather than grace. It is this that leads people to make a profession and not a change in position, Christianity becomes nothing more than a club that you join to sear your conscious and justify our sins.
A Change that Needs to Take Place
Ephesians 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
Paul is speaking to saved people early in the Church that are just adding to their daily existence without removing the things of the world…
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;
(This is the point when you decide which way to go…)
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Part of why the world does not take Christians seriously, is because Christians don’t take it seriously.
We should PUT OFF
Colossians 3:8 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;
We should PUT ON
Colossians 3:10 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;
When you get Saved there are some NEW things you get…
- A New Name
Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
- A New Nature
2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
(David and Daniel called this an Excellent Spirit)
The OLD nature likes: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth, lying…
- A New Heart and Spirit
Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
- A New Song
Psalm 40:3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
The Transformation
If we truly get saved we are indwelt with the Holy Spirit. Literally having God with us all the time. So many fight against the still small voice because they never desired a change, they just desired to get rid of their guilt. It would be good if we show salvation as it truly is, not just a way to go to Heaven, but a transformation whereby we are a New Creature… old things are passed away… all things become new.