"These all died in faith...and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." (Hebrews 11:13)
Believers are misfits in the world. They walk contrary to the ways of men and are citizens of a kingdom that is "not of this world" (Jn 18:36). Furthermore, those in Christ actually experience fierce conflict within themselves. The part of them that is from the earth is at war with the part of them that has been born from above. One way this is described in the Scripture is by the flesh and the Spirit being contrary to one another (Gal 5:17). Another way this is described is by the contrary nature of "the old man" and "the new man." In Christ, men have, within their own constitution, an old man who is opposed to the ways of God and a new man who is in complete accord with the ways of God. It is the new man that is the stranger and the pilgrim here.
Illustrated. The Lord said to Rebekah, who was pregnant with Jacob and Esau, "Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels, and one people shall be stronger than the other people, and the elder shall serve the younger" (Gen 25:23). The old man is like the elder son of Rebekah. Though he was there first he is destined to serve the younger. The new man is like the younger son of Rebekah. He is born later but is stronger than the elder, old man. The fact that the "two manner of people shall be separated" from birth identifies the conflict resident within the old man and the new man. They do not get along. They are contrary one to another. Though this illustration is not perfect but it does show the experience of those who have been born again. They have two manner of people within them that are opposed to one another from birth - specifically, the new birth.
The Manner of the Old Man. Since the day we were baptized into Christ Jesus onward, "our old man is crucified with [Christ]" in order that the body of sin might be done away with (Rom 6:6). But, like the impenitent thief on the cross, this crucified old man is still alive. Though greatly hindered and weaker, he still speaks blasphemies and hurls insults. He is in conflict with the new man. Likewise, even though we "have put off the old man with his deeds" (Col 3:9) the battle is not over. In a sense, we have to keep him on the cross and continually put him off. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul exhorts the brethren, “put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” (Eph 4:22). His corrupt “conversation” or manner of life incites the wrath of God as it is contrary to godliness. He must be put to death.
The Manner of the New Man. Putting off the old man is not enough. Believers cannot just leave their house "empty, swept and garnished" (Mt 12:44). The “new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” must be “put on” (Eph 4:24). This new man "is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him" (Col 3:10). This is the part of the believer that is "born of God" and "doth not commit sin, because he is born of God" (1 Jn 3:9). This is the part of the believer that loves and knows God (1 Jn 4:7) and believes that Jesus is the Christ (1 Jn 5:1) and overcomes the world (1 Jn 5:4). He must be put on, accentuated, fed, and given prominence.
Conclusion. The new man is altogether good and does not sin. The old man is altogether bad and only sins. Both of them are housed in the vile bodies that we now possess and both are seeking to gain prominence in our lives. The old man must be put off and the new man must be put on. This is often an every day, even moment by moment occurrence, but the Lord has given us grace to fight a good fight and "war a good warfare" (1 Tim 1:18).
Someone well said, "two natures (manner of people) beat within my breast. One is cursed, the other blessed. The one I love, the one I hate. The one I feed with dominate." Put on the new man and feed him!
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| A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver |
Believers are misfits in the world. They walk contrary to the ways of men and are citizens of a kingdom that is "not of this world" (Jn 18:36). Furthermore, those in Christ actually experience fierce conflict within themselves. The part of them that is from the earth is at war with the part of them that has been born from above. One way this is described in the Scripture is by the flesh and the Spirit being contrary to one another (Gal 5:17). Another way this is described is by the contrary nature of "the old man" and "the new man." In Christ, men have, within their own constitution, an old man who is opposed to the ways of God and a new man who is in complete accord with the ways of God. It is the new man that is the stranger and the pilgrim here.
Illustrated. The Lord said to Rebekah, who was pregnant with Jacob and Esau, "Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels, and one people shall be stronger than the other people, and the elder shall serve the younger" (Gen 25:23). The old man is like the elder son of Rebekah. Though he was there first he is destined to serve the younger. The new man is like the younger son of Rebekah. He is born later but is stronger than the elder, old man. The fact that the "two manner of people shall be separated" from birth identifies the conflict resident within the old man and the new man. They do not get along. They are contrary one to another. Though this illustration is not perfect but it does show the experience of those who have been born again. They have two manner of people within them that are opposed to one another from birth - specifically, the new birth.
The Manner of the Old Man. Since the day we were baptized into Christ Jesus onward, "our old man is crucified with [Christ]" in order that the body of sin might be done away with (Rom 6:6). But, like the impenitent thief on the cross, this crucified old man is still alive. Though greatly hindered and weaker, he still speaks blasphemies and hurls insults. He is in conflict with the new man. Likewise, even though we "have put off the old man with his deeds" (Col 3:9) the battle is not over. In a sense, we have to keep him on the cross and continually put him off. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul exhorts the brethren, “put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” (Eph 4:22). His corrupt “conversation” or manner of life incites the wrath of God as it is contrary to godliness. He must be put to death.
"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry; for which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience; in which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth." (Colossians 3:5-8)Warfare is not always wrong. The new man must be exhorted to "mortify" or "kill" (ABPE) or "put to death" (NIV) the old man and his ways. This is the task of a warrior, even one who has put on the full armor of God. This is a real "holy war" that the sons of God are engaged in. The old man "is crucified" and we must spend the rest of our lives finishing the job, so to speak.
The Manner of the New Man. Putting off the old man is not enough. Believers cannot just leave their house "empty, swept and garnished" (Mt 12:44). The “new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” must be “put on” (Eph 4:24). This new man "is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him" (Col 3:10). This is the part of the believer that is "born of God" and "doth not commit sin, because he is born of God" (1 Jn 3:9). This is the part of the believer that loves and knows God (1 Jn 4:7) and believes that Jesus is the Christ (1 Jn 5:1) and overcomes the world (1 Jn 5:4). He must be put on, accentuated, fed, and given prominence.
Conclusion. The new man is altogether good and does not sin. The old man is altogether bad and only sins. Both of them are housed in the vile bodies that we now possess and both are seeking to gain prominence in our lives. The old man must be put off and the new man must be put on. This is often an every day, even moment by moment occurrence, but the Lord has given us grace to fight a good fight and "war a good warfare" (1 Tim 1:18).
Someone well said, "two natures (manner of people) beat within my breast. One is cursed, the other blessed. The one I love, the one I hate. The one I feed with dominate." Put on the new man and feed him!
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