Issue 7 - January 2005
"New Man" Resolutions
Michael A. Verdicchio

At the beginning of a new year many people like to make, "New Years' Resolutions". Some are resolved to lose weight. Others resolve to quit a bad habit. Some vow to be successful. With the coming of a "new" year, many desire to see new and better things in their lives.

When a person gets born again (confesses Jesus as lord and believes in their heart that God raised him from the dead) they receive God's gift of holy spirit. At that moment they become "new", or, as I Corinthians 5:17 says, "he is a new creature." There is a new creation within, called in Ephesians 2:15, a "new man".

In Ephesians chapter 4, there is some wonderful direction from God on how this "new man" is to live. So, here are some, "new man" resolutions.

Ephesians 4:22-32:

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Romans 6:4 says that we should "walk in newness of life". The verses above from Ephesians chapter 4 show how born again Christians should live and conduct their lives - by putting off the old man and putting on the new man.

Have a very blessed and prosperous new year putting on the "new man"!