Believer’s Inheritance pt 1 (A New Person)

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.

      As we hear the Word of God being preached (Romans 8:14, 17), the Holy Spirit reproves us as sinners (John 16:7-11).  If we will truly listen and apply the truth to ourselves (Matthew 13:18-23), the Lord Himself begins to perform the miracle of regeneration by drawing us away from our sins and pointing us to our only hope in avoiding God’s wrath (Psalm 7:11; John 3:36): the Lord Jesus Christ!  When we look to Christ alone for our salvation (Acts 4:12), the Father miraculously and instantaneously adopts us (Galatians 4:5) into the family of God (Ephesians 3:15), wherein we are changed from sinners (1Corinthians 6:9-11) to sons and immediately inherit the attributes and abilities as the children of Almighty God Himself (Colossians 1:12).

      Basically, we were once sinners, but are now saints; previously lost, but now found; were altogether Hell-bound to but now are seated in, “heavenly places,” (Ephesians 2:6).  We begin to transform and look and act like our Heavenly Father by His miraculous power!  This newness is seen in our:

            Attitude – Our focus becomes the glory of our Heavenly Father instead of ourselves.  We used to only be concerned with, “What’s in it for me?,” but after salvation, we naturally desire to obey and please the Heavenly Father because He loved us enough to send His Son to die in our place.  Amazingly, we will start to enjoy the company of fellow believers.  We will also begin to desire spiritual things and shun that which is sinful.

            Whenever we witness the apathy of many in our day who were, “born again,” but have not displayed a new attitude, we must positively assume that they are false professors of salvation.  The Bible says we will be a new creature and that we will bear spiritual fruit.  It is true that there are many matters of sanctification wherein it may take time for believers to grow, but shouldn’t we see some fruit from those who claim to be a new creature?  Does the fornicator continue shacking up?  Does the drunk continue in his vomitus drink?  When a baby is born, does it not act like a baby?  Does it not cry for its mother’s milk and cuddling?  So it should be with the baby Christian!  These spiritual newborns should automatically seek the presence and power of their new Heavenly Father, shouldn’t they?

Romans 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

            Appetites – There is an instant understanding of sin in every newly-born Christian’s life!  He now longs to hear sound biblical preaching, desires the sincere milk of the Word of God, and seeks-out Christian fellowship.  The new believer will not only begin to naturally seek-out those things that would please his Heavenly Father, but will also receive a spiritual distaste for the things that displease Him.  One major reason for this is because when the believer sins, he is chastened by the Lord.

Hebrews 12:6-10  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  7  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  8  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.  9  Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?  10  For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

            Whenever we see those who profess salvation continuing in sin without any chastening from their Heavenly Father, they are still lost in their sins.  As children of a holy Heavenly Father, we inherit a new appetite for spiritual things and definitely experience His chastening in our lives as well.

            Attire – When Adam and Eve ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, the first thing they understood was that they were naked.  Nakedness became a sin and disgrace to them as they then saw themselves as they really were.  As sinners we are carnal children of a sinful world.  We will act as our father, the devil, tells us to.  It does not bother most folks to walk around in public uncovered or inappropriately dressed because they are sold under sin.  However, when the Word of God illuminates the mind, there is now truly the knowledge of good and evil.  We should immediately realize that we walk in nakedness!  As a result of the sinner becoming a new creature he will want to wear clothes that would glorify God.  It must also be mentioned that a change of clothing does not change a person, but the changed person definitely will change their clothing!  The Bible teaches that a person’s attire is an indicator of the condition of their heart.

Proverbs 7:10  And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

            Actions – The child of God’s speech and lifestyle begins to change.  Instead of cursing God, he praises God.  Instead of using Christ’s name in euphemism or slang, he tells others of the salvation that is available only through His name!  His old sinner friends witness an immediate change and usually accuse him of, “finding religion.”  Because he is a new creature, his beliefs have been shaken-up and renovated at the core.  As a result of his recent faith, the child of God naturally and inherently, acts upon his new beliefs, which in turn, affects his manner of life.  This is unavoidable because he inherited a new person when he was adopted into God’s family!  This new person is the Holy Spirit of God.

Romans 8:9-10  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.  10  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

      Becoming a new person is an essential part of our inheritance.  It is guaranteed by Christ Himself.  Therefore, if there is no spiritual change in a sinner’s life, he is still a sinner and will die in his sins (Psalm 55:19; 2Peter 2:22).

      It must also be mentioned that a sinner cannot attempt to change his own attitude, appetite, attire or actions in hopes of salvation.  There is absolutely no amount of outward self-righteousness (Titus 3:5) that can do the perfect work of Christ’s redeeming blood.  Only His sacrifice on Calvary can wash away sins, clear the conscience of a sinner (Hebrews 9:9, 14), and give him the ability to walk in faith.

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