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A new one who resembles God

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[ Ephesians 4:24 ]

and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

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Sin entered the world by Adam and Eve eating the fruit of good and evil. Sin stole God's life in people. People are in a state of unhappiness that cannot please God.

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People rejected God for their sins. They no longer tried to believe or accept God's Word. Because of sin, they are spiritually dead.

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Those who fell in sin were not ashamed of sin. They did as they wished and lived an orderly and prodigal life.

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Jesus came to save those who have fallen into this sin. He took all the sins of men and died on the cross instead. God blessed all who receive Jesus as the Messiah to be a child of God.

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Those who believe in Jesus and live as children of God will take away the life of sinful old one and live in God. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, is with him to become a new person who lives in righteousness and holiness.

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The apostle Paul preached the word of God to the believers in Ephesus. Believers who believe in Jesus and become new people are saying that they should be taken away from the old man.

“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;”(Eph 4:22)

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The Bible then tells us to take off our old image and become new.

“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.”(Eph 4:23~24)

Then, how does a good and holy life resembling God mean?

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Don't lie. Lying is the favorite thing of the old one belonging to Satan. Since the new man belongs to Jesus Christ, he(she) must treat people with truth and honesty.

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Even if we are angry, we must not sin. We are angry because we are weak. But Bible says Satan uses man's anger to sin.

“"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”(Eph 4:26~27)

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The Bible also says that new people should stop stealing others and help others with their own.

“Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”(Eph 4:28)

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Our old one enjoys gossiping and tearing others. They are good at wanting and hurt others with thorny words. Anyone who loves this may still have a habit of old self.

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God commands us as new person to say good words that praise and build up others.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”(Eph 4:29)

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Finally, a new person knows that all his sins are forgiven in Jesus and knows how to forgive others' faults.

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Living the habits of the old one is to sadden the God of the Holy Spirit in us. The apostle Paul gives us the following counsel at the end of Ephesians 4: Let's read them together in one voice.

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”(Eph 4:30)

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The saving grace God has given us is the sure grace that the Holy Spirit guarantees. Because of this wonderful grace, we too are new one in Jesus today.

Just because we are new one does not mean we have the power to overcome sin. Remember that we who are new man are people who depend on God more than ever before.

I hope that you will be reliant on God and become friends of all who enjoy a good and holy life.

(This is the sample conclusion provided by CTM. Please feel free to change the conclusion to best suit the listeners of your sermon.)