How The Gospel Changes The Heart

PRESENTING THE GOSPEL

When we present the gospel it is important to have a good understanding of the ‘whys’ and ‘wherefores’ so as to be able to present a clear message of God’s salvation to the lost. It will not only impact on the way we share the good news but will also be of great encouragement and strength in our personal walk with the Lord.

This booklet is not to show you how to evangelize but to better equip you and others in your evangelism, especially the subject of the new creation which I believe will be of great encouragement and joy. I have tried to be as scriptural as possible in the following pages. I do not profess to know it all but I seek to know the truth and welcome discussion on topics of difference so that we can all grow and learn from one another. I pray that Eph 1:16-23 will be fulfilled in your life as you study his word.

We will start with an overview of what this booklet will cover and then move into more detail.

Some of the topics covered here most will already be familiar with but some may not so for that reason it is good to start at the beginning.

Overview

What our spiritual condition was before we were born again.
What constitutes the makeup of man as an individual
What took place before and when we were born again
What we received when we were born again
What is our response, purpose and goal now that we have been born again

What was our spiritual condition before we were born again?

Romans 3:23; 5:6,8,12; 6:23; 8:10; Eph 2:1 states “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”; “For we yet being without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly but God commends His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us”; “Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death (spiritual and physical) passed upon all men, for that all have sinned”; “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”; “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness”; “And you has he made alive who were dead in trespasses and sins”

We can see from the above verses that we had all fallen short of the glory of God, that we were ungodly and sinners before him, being dead spiritually and physically in our sins before we came to know Christ. This was an eternal condition of separation from God with no way of escape. The cause for this spiritual and physical condition of eternal death being upon all mankind came about when our father Adam (The created father of the human race) and Eve (The created mother of the human race) first sinned by disobeying God in the garden of Eden by eating the forbidden fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. By Adam and Eve’s disobedience, sin and the power of it gained entrance into their soul and body causing them to be corrupted and impure.

This sin is the power of evil dwelling within our mortal bodies. Adam and Eve’s soul and body which were previously alive and in relationship with God had now become dead (corrupted and impure), eternally separating them from their spiritual and physical relationship they had had originally with God. (The term ‘dead’ used here does not mean ‘ceasing to exist’ but being in a ‘state’ or ‘condition’ of separation from the life that came from God as the result of sin)

This eternal condition of spiritual and physical death was then passed on to all mankind through natural birth. It is important to note that we were not only ‘sinners’ by what we did but ‘sinners’ by what we were. Our ‘sins’ or wrong doings were and are the result of the inherited ‘sin’ from Adam and Eve. In other words we were a sinner by nature which was corrupted by the power of sin. Ref Gen 2:17; 3:6; 3:1-24; Psalm 51:5; Rom 5:12; 5:19; 1Cor 15:22

What constitutes the makeup of man as an individual?

The Body

Our body is what we can see and touch. It is mortal and subject to death because of indwelling sin. The bible tells us that the body is dead because of sin (in the sense of being opposite to the life of God) but we are promised that it can be quickened or revitalized by God’s Spirit, which dwells in us. In other words it is God’s Spirit restoring our mortal body. Romans 8:3, 10-11

The body though affected and indwelt by sin has been set free from sin’s control. We are told to not present our bodies unto sin for its service nor to let sin rule in our mortal bodies. Rom 6:13, 14
Our body expresses outwardly our inward attitudes and desires. We can display both good and bad actions (fruits) to one another. Romans 6:15-22
We are told to keep our bodily appetites under control. 1 Corinthians 9.27
Our bodies are the members of Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:15
The body can be afflicted by sickness and Satan 2 Corinthians 12:7; Philippians 2:27;
2Tim 4:20; 1 Corinthians 12:30
Our body can be sinned against. 1 Corinthians 6:18
The body can be healed and raised from the dead. James 5:14; John 11:43-44
The body is the house or dwelling place for our soul and spirit. Luke 1:46-47, Matt 16:26, 1 Cor 2:11
Our body is animated or kept alive in the sense of existing by our spirit given by God at conception. When the spirit leaves the body the body dies. James 2:26
The body is the dwelling place of the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ and the Holy the Spirit. 1 Cor 3:16, 6:19; Rom 8:9; Gal 4:6
Our body belongs to the Lord and we are to glorify or bring honour to God in our body. 1 Cor 6:20
The body will eventually die but God has promised us a new body, which will be incorruptible and immortal on the resurrection day. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53

The Soul

The soul is that part of us where our unique personage or identity dwells. The soul is often confused with our spirit of and vice versa.

The best example or description of the soul that the bible presents to us is when Jesus spoke of the rich man in Hell (Hades) and the poor man in Abraham’s bosom (paradise). Luke 16:19-31

Reference to Old Testament hell (Sheol) Isaiah 14:9; Deut 32:22; Job 17:16: Psalm 16:10

Firstly we will notice that Abraham, Lazarus and the Rich man are below the earth in Hades divided by a great gulf. On one side of the gulf a place of torment and on the other side a place of comfort. We then notice the rich man while being tormented in Hades looked up and saw Abraham and Lazarus a long way off.

The rich man then spoke to Abraham. He requested mercy and that Lazarus be sent to place cooling water on his tongue because of the heat from the flames.

The rich man again spoke to Abraham and requested that Lazarus be sent back to warn his family of the place of torment he was in, Abraham replied and said that this was impossible as a great divide was between them preventing access to each other.

The discourse continued but the points to note are these:

The rich man, Lazarus and Abraham could see each another
The rich man and Abraham spoke to each other
The rich man and Abraham both could hear each other
The rich man and Abraham both had an intelligent discussion with each other
The rich man displayed concern for his family
Torment was felt by the rich man and comfort by Lazarus
The tongue could be cooled by water
All three identities recognized each others soul body
The rich man, Lazarus and Abraham still retained their own unique identity (self consciousness within their soul body)

The above nine points help us to see what makes up the faculty and composition of the soul (soul body) which had sight, speech, hearing, intellect (mind), feeling and emotion.

This passage from Luke presents to us real, unique individuals, conscious and self aware, one existing in a place of torment and two living in a place of comfort with all their faculties operating in a soul body (non physical).

If we can see that it was the unbeliever’s soul body that went to Hades and that it was the believer’s soul body that went to Abraham’s bosom (awaiting Christ’s resurrection so they could enter heaven) and not their spirits we have discovered a critical step in understanding the tri-part makeup of man.

Here is another two references of people seeing certain prophets after they had died:

The prophet Samuel was seen by King Saul and the witch of Endor. Samuel arose from beneath the earth and was described as an old man with a mantle. 1Sam 28:3-19

Moses and Elijah were seen by the disciples on the mount of transfiguration. Mark 9:2-5

All these prophets were recognized as real people. In other words their soul bodies were recognized. Their soul body was the exact image of their original physical body.

Without their soul body they would not have been recognized by anyone.

Other names that are used to refer to the original corrupt soul of man in the bible are the old man and the flesh. The names used to describe the new soul of a believer are the new man, the new creation and a new creature. Many refer to the old man and new man as the old or new nature. Rom 6:6, Eph 4:22, Col 3:9, 2Cor 5:17, Eph 4:24, Col 3:10, Gal 6:15

I trust that the above references have clarified the identity and faculty (operation) of a man’s soul.

The Spirit

The bible clearly states that when Jesus died his spirit was commended (or sent) to his Father, his soul went into Hades (Hell) and his body was placed in a cave. Ref: Lk 23:46; Acts 2:31; Mat 27:59; Eccl 12:6-7; 3:19-21

From the outset we can see that there is a distinction between Christ’s soul and spirit.

Because Jesus experienced the same death as all mankind does we can clearly see what happens when a person dies without Christ and that his spirit returns back to God that gave it, his soul goes to hades and his body is cremated or buried in a grave. This is also confirmed in the book of James where it states ‘the body without the spirit is dead’. James 2:26

We are also told in 1Cor 2:11 that man has a spirit within him which knows the things of man

Ecclesiastes 3:21 and 12:7 states the spirit of man goes upward and returns to God that gave it.

What took place before and when we were born again?

A drawing of God John 6:44 (No man can come except…)
A hearing of the good news of God. Romans 10:14; 1Cor 1:18-21 (foolishness of preaching);

Rom 10:8 (Faith comes); John 6:45 (It is written…taught of the Father..)

A repentance (change of direction in heart and mind toward God and sin) Acts 11:18 (Granted repentance to the gentiles)
A death to the old nature, old life; the old man Rom 6:6 (Knowing this…) Gal 2:20 (I am.)
A new birth takes place (born again, born from above) John 3:7; 1 Pet 1:23; (incorruptible…)

1John 5:1 (is born…)

6: An eternal relationship takes place by birth through eternal redemption. Heb 9:12; John 10:28, 1Pet 1:23

A fellowship begins between God the Father and Jesus his Son and fellow believers because of our eternal relationship 1John 1:3

Firstly we hear the good news and the drawing of God to Christ begins, the hearing of the good news produces the faith to believe in Christ. In this believing there is the receiving of repentance (a change of direction in heart and mind to God and sin).

When we believe we then receive the gift of death and the gift of life, the gift of death to our old soul (i.e. The old man), and the gift of life (eternal life, i.e. the new soul). This sharing in Christ’s death, life and resurrection in the twinkling of an eye brings us back into the family of our Father God. Ref John 6:45; Rom 10:14,17; 1Cor 1:18,21; John 6:44; Rom 10:8; Phil 1:29; Acts 11:18; Rom 2:4; Rom 6:4,6; 1John 5:1,13; Eph 2:15; Col 3:10; Eph2: 6; Col 2:12; Rm6: 9-11; 2Cor 5:18

The eternal death aspect was dealt with by the crucifying (i.e. putting to death) and burial of our old man (i.e. our old soul) so we could receive a new man (i.e. the new soul, the new creation). This new soul was born of the spirit, of the incorruptible seed by the word of God. The only remedy for the problem of eternal death (i.e. eternal corruption) was eternal life (i.e. eternal in-corruption). Ref Rom 6:1-6; 1Pet 1:23

When we were born again a ‘death’ and ‘resurrection’ took place in us the moment we believed. A death to our ‘sin nature’ and the receiving of a new nature Rm 6:1-11. The old nature was crucified and buried with Jesus. Crucifixion leads to death. This is the beginning of our walk with the Lord, being born into a new spiritual family where God has become our Father. Rom 6:6, Gal 2:20

It is important to understand the difference between relationship and fellowship. Relationships are established by the new birth and are permanent and unchanging. Fellowship is the intimacy or closeness we develop with our heavenly Father in our walk.

NB Our relationship is never affected by our fellowship.

How did we receive this new creation, this new birth from above?

By believing in the name of Jesus Christ, the son of God we are made righteousness (have right standing with God.) Ref: John 1:12; Romans 4:25; 1 John 5:1

What is the meaning of the term new creation; new creature; new man?

The Greek word for New is kainos and means exactly that “New”, Freshness

Ref: 2Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15; Eph 2:15; Mat 9:17 new (kainos) bottles

What is the new creation?

It is the workmanship of God. Ref: Eph 2:10

It is the character of Christ. Ref: Gal 2:20; Col 1:27

Who is the new creation?

The new creation is you, your new spiritual nature in God’s eternal family. Ref: John 1:12; 1John 3:2; 1John 5:1

What is the character of the new creation?

It is eternal, incorruptible, righteous, holy, Godly and sinless Ref: John 10:28; 1peter 1:23; Eph 4:24; 1John 5:1; 1john 3:9

How much do we receive of God in the new creation?

We receive the fullness of God, ‘Of His fullness have we all received’ John 1:16; ‘given all things…’ 2Pet 1:3 ‘Blessed with all spiritual blessings’, Eph 1:3.

A summary of what we are and have in Christ, the New Creation

Phil 1:29 Believe
Rm 12:3 Faith
Col 1:14 Forgiveness
Rm 5:10 Reconciled
Eph 1:13 Sealed
Heb 13:20 Everlasting Covenant / Eternal Agreement
Heb 5:9 Eternal Redemption
Heb 9:12 Eternal Salvation
John 10:28 Eternal Life
1Pet 1:23 Incorruptible
Rm 5:19 – 2 Cor 5:21 Righteous
Rm 7:4 – 8:2. Free from the law and the law of sin and death
Eph 4:24 – Heb 3:1 Holy, equal in character with God and Christ
2 Pet 1:4 Divine natures
Eph 2:10 God’s Workmanship
1 Cor 1:30 Wisdom
1 Cor 6:11 Sanctified – set apart by God –
Rm 8:30 Glorified – given a place of glory
Rm 8:30 Justified
Eph 1:6 Accepted
1 John 3:9. Cannot sin – The new nature is not able to sin
1 John 5:1 Born of God
John 3:6 Born of the Spirit
1 Cor 15:45 Made a Life giving spirit
1 Cor 3:16 Temple of the Spirit of God
1 Cor 6:19 Temple of the Holy Spirit
Gal 4:6 Spirit of His Son
1 Cor 2:16 Mind of Christ
Rm 6:2 Dead to sin
Rm 6:11 Alive to God
Rm 6:22 Free from sin
2 Pet 1:3. All things that pertain to Life and Godliness
Gal 4:6 Sons
Rev 1:6. Kingdom of priests
2 Cor 5:20 Ambassadors
Acts 1:8 A Witness
Col 1:13 Placed into the Kingdom of Gods Dear Son
Col 2:11 Circumcised without hands
Rm 6:6. Our old man crucified
Eph 2:6. Raised up
Eph 2:6 Seated at the right hand of God
2 Tim 1:7 Spirit of a Love, Power and a Sound mind
Eph 1:3 Blessed with all spiritual blessing
2 Cor 10:4 Strong weapons of warfare
Eph 6:11 Armour of God

What is the ability of the new creation?

Love; faith, authority; strength; victory; reigning in life; to be an overcomer; 2 Tim 1:7; Heb 12:2; Mark 16:17-18; 2Cor 12:9; Phi 4:13; 2Cor 2:14; Rom 5:17; 1John 5:4; 2 Cor 5:15.

A summary list of the abilities of the New Creation, the New Man:

1 Cor 13:7 Believe
Rm 10:17 Faith
Eph 4:32 Forgive
1 Tim 2:1 – 1 Cor 7:5 Pray, intercede, fast
Mat 10:8 Give
Eph 2:10 Do good works
Heb 13:15 Praise, Thankful
Rm 14:19 Build up one another
1 Cor 14:31 Prophesy
1 Cor 14:4 – Jud 1:20 Build up, build up ourselves in the Holy Ghost, praying in the Spirit
Mk 12:30-31 Love, greatest commandment, Love God with all our heart, soul, mind
1 Cor 13:4-8 Think no evil, patient, rejoices in the truth
Mat 6:33 – Mat 7:7. Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, Find, Knock, Ask
1 Joh 5:15 Have the Petitions answered we request of Him –
Joh 14:21 Keep His commands they are not grievous, Faith commands
2Pet 3:18 Grow in Grace and in the knowledge of Him
1Thes 4:3, 7 This is the will of God, your sanctification
2Cor 6:17 Come out from the unclean thing, spiritual uncleaness
2Cor 7:1 Cleanse ourselves,
1Pet 1:16 Be ye Holy as I am Holy, (Follow)
Mat 18:18 Bind and loose, –
Luke 10:19 Exercise all authority over the power of the enemy in the Jesus name
2Cor 2:14 – 2Cor 10:4 Always Conquer, Pull down strongholds
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor (Gods spiritual protection by his word)
John 15:7;10 Abide in Christ and Christ’s word
1Pet 2:2 Desire the sincere milk, young children; All –
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you in abundance –
Pro 2:3-11 Cry out for knowledge, wisdom and understanding
Josh 1:8 Meditate
Heb 4:1,3 Enter into His rest
1Cor3:14-Heb10:35 Receive rewards
2Pet 1:4 Believe the promises to partake (enjoy) of the divine nature
Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign
Rom 8:13 – Col 3:5 Put to death the works of the body to live
Rom 6:13 Present our body to righteousness
Luke 9:23 Take up our cross daily
2Tim 2:15 – Joh 8:31 Study, Continue in the word
Acts 1:8 – 2Cor 5:20 Witnesses for Christ, Ambassadors Christ
2Cor 5:18 Ministry to bring others to be one with God
2Pet 1:5 Add to faith, virtue, knowledge, moderate, patience, A God attitude, brotherly kindness, love
Prov 3:5 Trust in God with all our heart

What are we now responsible to in the new creation?

We have a choice to respond in Love to all of the above. What an amazing privileged to know that we have such a great storehouse to draw from in our walk in the Lord.
I have listed a few of the main topics from the list above
Growth:
Grow in Grace and knowledge 2 Pet 3:18; John 8:32; Desire the sincere milk, 1Pet2:2;
Study, 2Tim2:15;
Personal sanctification: To sanctify (set apart) our self as an individual to God:
Cleanse ourselves, 2Cor7:1; Let not sin reign, Rm6:12; Come out, 2Cor6:17;
Put off the old, Eph4:22;
Put on the New Man, Col 3:10,
Harden not your hearts, Heb 3:15
Witness and Sharing the Gospel:
We have all been called to be witnesses for Christ Acts 1:8

Spiritual warfare as a new creation

Our weapons, 2 Cor 10:4,
Resist the devil, Jm4:7; Eph6:11-18; 1Pet5:8-9
Internal warfare: 2 Cor 10:5
External warfare: People, circumstances, spiritual powers, 1 Thes 2:18; Eph6:12; 1Pet 5:8-9
Suffering as a new creation
Persecution: Mt 5:10,12; John 15:20; 1Cor 4:12; 2Tim 3:12
Affliction: Psalm 34:19; John 16:33
Health, healing and provision as a new creation
Health, 3 john 1:2; Healing 1Pet 2:24, Provision Php 4:19

How to walk in the Truth of the New Creation

Gal 5:1, Rom 6:12; Ish 54:17; Eph 6:11; Eph 2:5-6; James 4:7; John 19:30; Eph 6:17 ; Rom 6:6; Gal 5:24; Rom 6:14; Rom 6:13,18,20,22; John 8:36

Victory over sin Rm 6:1-23

When we have come to know who we are in Christ and what we have as a new creation we can then start to stand against the power and dominion of sin in our lives. We do this by standing fast in the truth that we have been set free from the power of sin by the death of Jesus Christ and not going to be made free from sin. By knowing we have been freed from the dominion of sin by the death of Jesus Christ Rm 6:6-7, we can now stand against the power and dominion of sin which still dwells in our mortal bodies. Rm 6:12-14. So because our physical body has been released from the union with the old sinful nature by the death of Christ we can now present our bodies’ servants to righteousness. We as new creations do not have to allow sin to control us anymore because we are no longer under its dominion.

When we know what we have received in Christ and know the ability that is now ours in the new creation, we can then walk in the victory over the power and dominion of sin. We take up our responsibility in our walk with confidence knowing that the victory is already ours in Christ.

Ish 54:17; Col 2:15; Eph 1:19-23;

Victory over Satan and the flesh

We do not enter into battle with the enemy by trying to get a victory over him, we stand in the truth of the fact that we are in victory, Eph 2:5-6, standing in Christ’s victory which is our victory. We confess what we believe to Satan, We confess the word to him, which is the sword of the spirit and he will have to flee because you know the truth. All powers have been placed under our feet in Christ Jesus, Christ’s victory is our victory because we are in Him and He is in us. Eph 2:6. And as He is, so are we in this world. (1 John 4:17. Amen)

Knowing the truth of who we are in Christ will not stop the devil coming against us. 1Pet 5:8; but as we resist the devil by standing in the victory of Christ he will flee from us. James 4:7. The devil will only flee when he knows you know the truth and your authority in Christ. By knowing that the devil is defeated we now resist him from a position of fact and rest in the finished work of Christ, John 19:30. Remember!!!!!!!!! You do not have to fight to get or bring about a victory over the enemy. You only have to stand in the truth of the victory you already have in Christ, James 4:7, to enjoy the victory. We hold fast the confession of our faith Heb 10:23. We do not confess to get a victory over the enemy, we confess because we have the victory over the enemy. Luke 10:19.

It is the truth that we stand fast in, to enjoy our freedom Christ has accomplished for us. John 8:36

Conclusion

Personal Application:

Our Purpose: To bear fruit. John 15:8
Our Action: To grow. 2Pet 3:18, Rom 12:2
Our Guide: John 16:13-14
Our Prayer: Eph 1:15-23
Our Hearts desire: Proverbs 2:1-11; James 1:5-6
The Result: Freedom. John 8:31-32
Our Goal: To be win Christ. Phil 3:14, 2Tim4:7-8

The Winning of Christ

Phil 3:8, 13-14, 16: The Winning of Christ is the receiving of the prize i.e. The crown of righteousness;

The more we come to understand and know who we are in Christ the more we can be who we are in Christ. This is the entering into the rest spoken about in Hebrews 4:3, 11. It is of the utmost importance for these truths of the new creation to be learnt by all the body of Christ. It will change our perspective on the way we see ourselves in Christ and how we share Christ with others, it will bring victory where there was defeat, it will bring peace and assurance to a troubled heart and mind and most of all our heavenly Father will be glorified when His children begin to bear fruit in their walk.

The key is to be patient with yourself as the Lord transforms your mind by His Living Word to reveal to you what He has made you in Christ Jesus.

As you begin your journey of discovery of what God has made you in Christ let proverbs chapter 2:1-4 continue to be your attitude and let Eph 1:17-23 be your prayer. Allow the Holy Spirit to be your guide into all truth and rest assured that as you seek, you will find and discover the unspeakable treasure which is ‘Christ in you the hope of glory’ and to know the truth that sets you free. Amen

Compiled by

Nigel Baker

Teacher