What is the new man?

We have heard and perhaps read that when we become a christian, we become a new creation. What then changes in us? According to the word the old passes away and all things become new. If we look at ourselves can we see what has changed? Are we transformed instantly into someone new? No, we who are journeying in salvation by the power of The Holy Spirit are being transformed daily into that new man/woman. Who then will we become? What will we be like? What is the purpose of all of this?

EPHESIANS 4 : 1 - 24 NKJV

4 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Spiritual Gifts

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says:

“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”

9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

The New Man

17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

From verse 13 we can see that the we are receiving "the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ". So then a christian is a follower of The Lord Jesus Christ, who is being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ Himself. We do not become Christ. We who are being sanctified are being made Holy and empowered as Christ, to do the things that Christ does and even greater than He Himself did whilst He was on this earth. If we can not believe that, then we do not understand christianity. As I have shown in previous posts, Jesus has called His disciples the light of the world. Previously He was the light of the world. We then become the ones sent by Him into a dark world to make more disciples from it, just as He was sent into the world, so He sends us.

We can think that becoming a christian is all about us. We can feel good when we praise God. We can receive so many benefits from being called by His name, physical,spiritual,mental,financial,etc...  We are really blessed. Whilst these things may be good they are not what christianity is all about. If this is all that being a christian means to us then we are missing our call. We are called to be world changers, saviors of others. Just as Jesus Christ sets us free we are being equipped to set others free. 

MATTHEW 10 : 5 - 15 NKJV

5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.

11 “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. 12 And when you go into a household, greet it.13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!

Now the above scripture refers to the twelve apostles when Jesus was training them. Yes, this was only training. Jesus was training them to do the very things that He was doing.

MARK 16 : 15 - 20 NKJV

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Christ Ascends to God’s Right Hand

19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

Now if you think that the casting out of demons and healing of the sick etc. was only for the twelve apostles, then read verses 17 and 18 above. It clearly says "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

It does not say that some of the believers will do these things. It also says in verse 17 that these are signs that will follow those who believe. Do you believe that this is the kind of power that you will be a part of? Did you think that you were being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ? Did you think that you were going to be a powerful witness of Christ? If you said no to any of these things, then you have been misled. But it is not too late to ask God to empower you on the journey of being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ, so that you may walk in your true calling. You can be a powerful light in this dark world. If none of this appeals to you, then you have a problem. I suggest that, if you do not like the idea of this kind of transformation, that you would ask God to show you why. Again I say that these things are not instant in coming about but a journey to get there, for those who are willing.