Ephesians 4:22-24 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
In Ephesians Chapter 4, the Apostle Paul compares the lifestyles of the “old man” and the “new man.” He advocates a complete lifestyle change and encourages us to abandon our old ways. God expects us to live through our new identity in Him, and to prosper in our souls through having good interpersonal relationships.
One manifestation of the “old man” ’s behaviour is taking offence easily, which is rooted in our insecurity. Keeping good relationships is challenging for such people. Because they measure our self-worth based on merits and constantly look for validation from people, they are over-sensitive to what people say, think, and behave toward them and take offence over small matters. They are easily angered and vent their anger through verbal abuse, telling people off on social media, and being vindictive in their ways. Their emotional baggage becomes an ugly sight for all to see.
Ephesians 1:3 (NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
The moment we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Saviour, we become new creations who have been born again spiritually. However, we need to walk in the realities of this new creation. Our new identity, or the “new man,” is how God has chosen to see us. He did this by blessing us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, which we can apply and embrace as we live our lives on earth.
These are some of the new creation realities:
- He sent Jesus to die for me because I am worthy and priceless. (John 3:16)
- I will not perish but have eternal life. (John 5:24, John 3:15)
- I am a child of God. (John 1:12, Galatians 3:28)
- I am justified by faith and have peace with God. (Romans 5:1)
- I am accepted in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:6)
- I am an heir of God, joint heir with Christ and will be glorified with Him. (Romans 8:17)
- I am strong in the grace of God. (2 Timothy 2:1)
- I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
- In Christ, I am His workmanship. Therefore, He has a good plan for me. (Ephesians 2:10)
- God shall supply all my needs according to His glorious riches. (Philippians 4:19)
- I am confident that He hears my prayer when I do anything according to His will for my life. (1 John 5:14)
Allowing these truths to renew our minds that this is the new identity given to us in Christ will give us the security and emotional stability that we need. As we live to please God rather than men, we will be unconcerned and affected by what people think or value us because we are affirmed by God.
Sermon Series: Faith in the New Creation Realities
在关系中兴旺成长
以弗所书 4:22-24 就要脱去你们行为上的旧人，这旧人是因私欲的迷惑而渐渐败坏的;又要将你们的心志改换一新， 并且穿上新人，这新人是照着神的形像造的，有真理的仁义和圣洁。
在以弗所书第四章中，使徒保罗比较了“旧人”和“新人”的生活方式。他倡导彻底的生活方式改变，并鼓励我们放弃旧有的行为方式。神期望我们活出在祂里的新身份，并通过建立良好的人际关系，使我们的灵魂得以兴旺。
“旧人”的一种表现是容易受伤，这种行为根源于我们内心的不安全感。对于这样的人，保持良好的关系是非常困难的。因为他们通过他人的评价来衡量自己的价值，并不断寻求他人的认可，他们对别人说的话、想法以及行为反应过度敏感，甚至会因为一些小事而感到冒犯。这样的人容易生气，通过言语攻击、在社交媒体上斥责他人，甚至以报复的方式发泄情绪。这样的人内心的负担常常成为让人难以忍受的负面情绪。
以弗所书 1:3 愿颂赞归与我们主耶稣基督的父神！他在基督里曾赐给我们天上各样的属灵的福气。
当我们口里承认、心里相信耶稣基督是我们的主和救主时，我们就成为了新造的人，属灵上得到了重生。然而，我们需要在新造的现实中行走。我们的新身份或“新人”，是神所选择的看待我们的方式。祂通过将天上所有属灵的福气赐给我们，使我们可以在地上应用这些祝福，活出新身份。
以下是一些新创造的现实：
• 祂差遣耶稣为我而死，因为我在祂眼中是宝贵且无价的（约翰福音3:16）
• 我不会灭亡，而是得着永生（约翰福音5:24，3:15）
• 我是神的儿女（约翰福音1:12，加拉太书3:28）
• 我因信称义，与神和好（罗马书5:1）
• 我在蒙爱的基督里被接纳（以弗所书1:6）
• 我是神的后嗣，与基督同作后嗣，将与祂一同得荣耀（罗马书8:17）
• 我靠着神的恩典刚强起来（提摩太后书2:1）
• 我靠着加给我力量的主，凡事都能做（腓立比书4:13）
• 在基督里，我是祂的工作，祂为我预备了美好的计划（以弗所书2:10）
• 神必按祂荣耀的丰富，供应我一切所需（腓立比书4:19）
• 我确信，当我按照神的旨意祷告时，祂必垂听我的祈求（约翰一书5:14）
当我们让这些真理更新我们的心思，意识到这是神在基督里赐给我们的新身份时，我们将会得到所需的安全感和情感稳定。我们若活着是为讨神喜悦，而不是为取悦人，我们就不会被他人如何看待或评价而左右，因为我们已经在神里得到了肯定。
讲章系列：信心与新造的现实
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