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Articles
The Old and New Me
There are many passages of scripture which contrast the old life of sin with the new life in Christ, and each of us as Christians should think on these things regularly. The entire sixth chapter of Romans is just such a passage. Study it and relate what it says to your life in Christ. “Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (:3-4). “Our old man was crucified with Him that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin” (:6). “Having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (:18). “Having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (:22-23).
In chapter 12 Paul continued to exhort them to “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (:1-2). In Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth, he stated, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). Peter expressed the idea this way: “you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
In His sermon on the mount, Jesus set forth the change which takes place in connection with our priorities when we become a servant of God (Matt. 6:19-34). Knowing we cannot serve two masters – God and mammon – we place our trust in God and seek first His kingdom and righteousness. We lay up treasures in heaven, rather than here on earth, and do not worry about the necessities of life, knowing our heavenly Father will not allow us to go without the things we need. As the Psalmist said, “I have been young, and now I am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, not his descendents begging bread” (Psalm 37:25).
Study Ephesians 2:1-13, where Paul contrasts the hopeless and depraved condition of the Gentiles prior to their becoming Christians with their glorious condition as children of God. Also Colossians 3:1-7, where Paul exhorts those who were raised with Christ to seek (and set their minds on) those things which are above.
To those who have not yet put off the old man and put on the new, we urge you to do so. To those who have, let us make sure we live up to the description given in God’s word of the new man in Christ.
