New life in Christ Jesus

CONTENT

• Meaning of Old Life as Living in Sin
• Characteristics of Old Life: Gal. 5: 19-21, Col. 3:5-7
• Need for Change: Rom. 6: 1-4.

THE MEANING OF OLD LIFE AS LIVING IN SIN

The meaning of old life is simply living a sinful life, that is life that is characterized with sins. In other words, it means living a life that does not glorify God or living a life that is not pleasing to God. The Scripture refers to such life as living in darkness. Furthermore the Scripture makes known that whoever is living such life is of the devil. They may claim to be Christians or righteous, yet the Bible refers to them as children of the devil.

EVALUATION

1. What is the meaning of old life?
2. How does the Scripture describe sinners?

CHARACTERISTICS OF OLD LIFE

The Bible in Galatians 5: 19 –21 lists the following as works or characteristics of old life.

1. Adultery                                  11. Strife                    
2. Fornication                              12. Seditions
3. Uncleanliness                          13. Heresies
4. Lasciviousness                        14. Envying
5. Idolatry                                   15. Murders
6. Witchcraft                               16. Drunkenness
7. Hatred                                     17. Revellings
8. Variance
9. Emulations
10. Wrath

EVALUATION

1. What can Christians do to avoid all these works of the devil?
2. Discuss any five among the works of the flesh extensively.

NEED FOR CHANGE

There is need for every soul to change from this old life to the newness of life in Christ Jesus. The Bible refers to this change as deadness to sin. This means that anyone who has forsaken the old life is dead to sin, and such person is now living a new life in Christ Jesus. It is mandatory for everyone to change in this regard to avoid damnation and eternity in hell. The process of this change is called salvation.

EVALUATION

1. Discuss the meaning of salvation.
2. What is the meaning of deadness to sin?

GENERAL EVALUATION

1. List all the works of flesh and the supposed virtuous attitude in front of each of them.
2. Explain how man can achieve salvation.
3. Is change compulsory? Yes or No! give reasons to support your answer.
4. Salvation is a change of life, Yes on no! examine.

READING ASSIGNMENT

Read RSV Bible Romans 6: 1-4, Col:31-17 and Summarize.

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WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. Old life simply means living in (a)  Christ  (b) sin  (c) fake habits  (d) remote habitat
2. All these are works of old life except  (a) adultery   (b)  envy  (c) playing  (d)  gossip
3. To avoid old life, man needs  (a) restitution  (b) change  (c) salvation  (d) seriousness
4. Can there be a third way of life after the old and new life  (a) Yes  (b)  No  (c) both  (d) perhaps
5. Which of these is the best example to follow?  (a) satan  (b) Jesus  (c) Paul  (d)  Pastor

THEORY

1. List other five works of the flesh that were not mentioned above.
2. Explain the process of transformation from old life to new life.

CONTENT

• What New Life in Christ Means
• Characteristics of the New Life.

WHAT NEW LIFE IN CHRIST MEANS:

Paul’s idea of a new life is that some virtues ought to distinguish someone who says he is  living such a life.  He also lays emphasis on the sacrament of baptism, a rite during which the convert declares publicly his union with Christ. Essentially, this is the implication of baptism to one who now lives a new life in Christ.  By immersion one is buried with Christ, and by bringing one up from under water, he resurrects with Christ.  This is what baptism by immersion symbolizes.

The new life in Jesus Christ is a life of joy, a life in Jesus Christ. A life of faith in Jesus Christ and the grace of God.  For the new converts, he should not allow sin to reign in his body neither should he yield to the desires of the flesh which are evil.  The new life begins with the mind.   It must also involve the creative power of God.

EVALUATION

1. List the characteristics of the new life
2. What role does baptism play in the new life?

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEW LIFE

According to Paul in Colossians 3:1-17, the features of the new life are discussed.These includes:

1. One’s mind should be set on things above.
2. People should depart from all sinful practices.
3. Having acquired a new life, he must rid himself of such vices as anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language, as well as lying.
4. The new life requires compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, forgiveness and most importantly love.
5. The peace of Christ should be allowed to rule in his heart
6. They should be thankful always, teaching others and admonishing them with all wisdom, singing hymns, psalm and spiritual songs with gratitude in his heart to God.
7. They should do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the father through Him.

For a person to be administered into new life he has to take the following steps:

1. Hear the word of God.
2. Confess his or her sins.
3. Repent and be baptized.
4. Determine to live a Christ- like life and be a full member of Christ’s body.

EVALUATION

1. What four necessary steps must a new member take in the Church before initiation into the new Life?
2. Explain the characteristics of the new life in Christ with respect to inter- human relationship.

GENERAL EVALUATION

1. What is Paul’s teaching on the life in Christ?  In what two ways can Christians manifest this?
2. In practical terms, what does new life in Christ means to  today’s Christians?
3. Christianity as a religion is a way of life, do you agree? If yes or no, explain your points.

READING ASSIGNMENT

Read RSV Bible  Romans 6: 1-4, Col:31-17 and Summarize.

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WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1.   Baptism is the physical symbol of ____(a) repentance from sins (b) confirmation to partake in the communion (c) burial and resurrection with Christ   (d) having undergone pastoral training (e) having been ordained a deacon.

2.   According to Paul, Christians should not ____

(a) eat with non –Christians                (b) eat strange meats               (c ) involve themselves in politics  (d) yield to desires of the flesh                       (e) inter-marry with heathens.

3.   Which of these according to Paul has an earthly nature?

(a) drunkenness           (b) selfishness             ( c) stealing     (d) covetousness   (e) envy.

4.   The greatest among the characteristics of the new life is ____

      (a) kindness     (b) gentleness              (c) patience     (d) compassion    (e) love

5.   Sin has dominion over those who are under ____

      (a) grace          (b) law             (c) authority    (d) imprisonment    (d) judgement

THEORY

1. Explain the characteristics of the  new life in Christ with respect to inter-human relations.
   1. What four necessary steps must a new member take in the church before initiation into the New Life?