THE NEW LIFE IN CHRIST

God has planned that the one who is saved by grace should immediately go to work (1:8-10). Because the Christian is God's handiwork (1:10), God has provided instruction concerning his character development.

This lesson shows the process of transformation which God works in the believer, and shows also that work in which the child of God is to busy himself - growing into the image of Christ, as he tells others about Him.

Body

I. THE WORLD'S WAY OF LIFE (4:17-21).

   A. Vanity of mind.

   B. Understanding darkened.

   C. Alienated from God's life (see 2:1, 12).

        1. Through ignorance.

        2. Through the blindness of heart.

   D. Past feeling - given over to lasciviousness.

   E. Not to be this way with the Christian (4:20, 21).

II. CHANGING LIVES (4:22-24).

   A. Put off the old man.

        1. Former way of life (conversation, KJV).

        2. Corrupt.

        3. Led by deceitful lusts.

   B. Renewed in the spirit of the mind.

   C. Put on the new man (i.e. the new way of life).

        1. With reference to God.

        2. Created (Greek, "has been created," aorist passive participle; see also 2:10) for the Christian's use and exemplified in Christ.

        3. In righteousness and true holiness.

III. THE NEW LIFE DESCRIBED (4:25-32).

   A. Put away lying, speak the truth.

   B. Do not sin in anger, don't nurse wrath overnight.

   C. Be honest and productive.

        1. Stop stealing.

        2. Earn an honest living.

        3. Give to those in need.

   D. End filthy talk - speak what is constructive and gracious.

   E. Do not grieve the Spirit (perhaps the same as "quenching" the Spirit).

        1. By "despising prophesyings" (I Thess. 5:19, 20).

        2. By hindering the development of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-25).

   F. Put away all forms of unkindness and be kind.

        1. Put away: bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil-speaking, malice.

        2. Be: kind, tenderhearted, forgiving.

IV. MOTIVES FOR THE NEW LIFE.

   A. We are members of each other (4:25).

   B. We are sealed for the day of redemption (4:39).

   C. We are forgiven by God, in Christ (4:32).

Conclusion

Let each child of God be impressed with his purpose in Christ, the need for maturity and character development, and the powerful motives which impel him to action. Let the preacher and teacher be made more aware of the deep spiritual basis for morality (as in IV, above), and instill in the listeners and students a firm foundation for growth.

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