Mark these Key Words: New, Renewed, Transformed
The absolutely unexplainable scientific miracle that atheists and evolutionists cannot begin to understand or fit into theory of godless evolutionary biology is the marvelous wonder of metamorphosis through which a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly or moth. Careful study of this mysterious process reveals that the caterpillar weaves for itself a tiny coffin (cocoon or chrysalis) in which it dies. In a matter of hours, the caterpillar’s very DNA develops into the basic molecules from which its DNA was formed. Yet, somehow in this process of complete decomposition there is a “dream” on a destiny inside that tiny casket of a sense of a “new creation”; a moth or butterfly in no way similar to the furry little crawling creature from which that moth or butterfly originated. The original creation dies and deteriorates at the molecular level and somehow “knows” how to reestablish itself into a majestic winged creature that from the first minutes of regeneration knows how to soar in the wind never to return to its lowly journey in the dirt of its pre-existing life.
The New Testament uses the same words to describe the transformation of a non-believer in Jesus to a converted believer in Jesus. Let’s study how the bible describes this magnificent process in which the “old “ has passed away and behold the new has come.
Ephesians 4:22-24
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
What does it mean to be “renewed in the spirit of your mind?”
Describe how you have “laid aside the “old self” in the past 12-24 months.
Describe the “new self” that you have seen emerging in yourself over the past year or two.
Colossians 3:5-10
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
How do you continually “lay aside the old self?”
What role has the Holy Spirit played in this process for you?
Romans 6:1-11
“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
What is it about “true grace” that not only saves you but also “transforms you?”
Describe in personal terms how you have experienced a “baptism into death” and a “resurrection of life.”
What evidences of your transformation have those who are closest to you (family, friends) observed in you in this process?
Romans 12: 1 & 2
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Why does this entire process begin with “the renewing of your mind?”
APPLICATION:
How do these passages relate to me today? What changes does it bring to my life?
LOCKER ROOM:
What areas of your life need to be renewed even today?
MEMORY VERSE:
Galatians 5:17
“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”
MY PRAYER
Adoration: Father, today I praise You for…
Confession: Father, please forgive me for…
Thanksgiving: Father, today I’m thankful for…
Supplication: Father, the people and things that I wish to pray for today are…
