New life in Christ, part 2Unsearchable riches of Christ in Ephesians · part 55 of 112Rev. Ivan Foster · Sun Mar 9, 2003Ephesians 4:23-32 · Sunday Service

II. THE PROOF OF GRADUATION IS THE DONNING OF A NEW UNIFORM
A new mind is formed under the gracious moving of Christ by His Spirit and through His Word, verse 22-23.

1. The old rags of our corruption are cast off. The actions of Lazarus (John 11:44), Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:50), the man of Gadara (Mark 5:15), all illustrate this. How powerful is the impulse within the Christian to rid ourselves of corruption. " . . hating (detesting) even the garment spotted by the flesh, " Jude 1:23.

2. There is a methodical aspect to this putting off. Acts 7:58, Hebs 12:1. Holiness is a matter of method and order- -- "Father's business."

3. It is in seeking to "put off" corruption that we feel its power. Lust is a king, Rom 6:12. It will not give up its throne without a battle. It can only be put off through death -- Gal 5:24.

4. The renewed mind is manifested by the new likeness. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new," 2 Cors 5:17. What a contrast the new and the old are! "According" 22; "after" 24 -- same word. Rom 13:14, Gal 3:27 -- putting on Christ. Gal 4:19, Christ formed within; 1 Pet 1:14-15, fashioned.

ID: 390319046 · New life in Christ, part 2