The Old or the New Man

Ephesians 4:21-24

We are exhorted to put off the old man, and thus his deeds, as well as put on the new man, and thus his deeds! The old man’s deeds are all conscious sin. The new man’s deeds are a life of victory, all conscious truth, righteousness, mercy, goodness, love, etc.

Our old man was crucified with Christ (Rom. 6:6), and through a personal, living faith in this, it is also accomplished in us. Our old man has thereby been put off, and thus with him also all the works of the flesh, a few of which are mentioned in Galatians 5:19-21.

In verse 24 we read clearly that those who have not crucified the flesh with its passions and desires, do not belong to Christ. In verse 21, in harmony with the above, we read that they will not inherit the kingdom of God.

In other words, Christianity, according to these and many other clear words, is an unspeakably great either/or, and not at all like what it is usually proclaimed to be throughout the entire world.

Everything that is said and done comes either from the old man or from the new man; from the “wisdom” that is from below or from the wisdom that is from above; from self-love or from the love of Christ; from a desire to please people or from a desire to please God.

Anger, a hot temper, irritation, bitterness, making demands, dissatisfaction, envy and jealousy, love of money, covetousness (the lust to buy), divisions and strife, etc., Without exception all come from the old man. Going to court because of earthly things (why do you not rather accept wrong?); also all gratification of sexual desires (with the exception of marital cohabitation, which is to be regarded as holy and pure) is the same as living in adultery. It is quite evident that such people will not inherit the kingdom of God, or enter into it. Matt. 7:21.