Jesus said, “Except ye be born again, ye cannot see the kingdom of heaven” (John 3:3). What does it mean to be born again?  It means one who has been forgiven of his sins and born into a new relationship “by water and the Spirit” (vs. 5). It means he is baptized into Christ, a new man. This person is then admonished to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18). 

 

There are certain noticeable characteristics that become evident in this new creature. He has a new Lord, a new mentor, a new example to emulate in this new life. He has a new attitude, a different disposition about what is important and what deserves his concentration. He has new goals and new ways of accomplishing those goals. He is a new man. 

 

What is involved in being a new man? 

 

“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things have passed away, behold all things have been made new” (II Corinthians 5:17). And so, this new man–first of all–has done away with the old things, things having to do with the flesh. He has a new vision of himself because he has a new vision of the Savior–he is “in” (is connected to) Christ.  This new relationship has promises that the carnal man cannot have, that the flesh cannot provide. He is now connected to Him who was resurrected from the dead by whom his own resurrection is assured. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God and it doeth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him...” (I John 3:2). This realization will put a new accent for this new man–an emphasis on the eternal instead of the corporeal. It will join this new born-again believer to the eternal through Jesus Christ, the resurrected one.

 

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2). First of all, his aspirations have taken on a new flavor, one that has eternal implications. He is no longer connected to the world. He will seek those things that have a genuine quality and substance. And he will set his affections, the things for which he has genuine care and concern, on the things that transcend where he is and are solidly fixed in heaven.

 

And notice the practical, every-day implications of this new relationship with Christ

 

The new man will put giving above getting. “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” he is told (Acts 20:35) by his Master. Now that takes some getting used to. It’s a learned attribute. You have to work at it. But once a man knows the joy of giving–giving expecting no reciprocity, he begins to realize what Jesus meant when He said “it’s more blessed to give than receive.” The new man extends himself to be available to others, whatever their needs–and not just giving into the church treasury, but personally giving from the abundance of his own blessings. And he gives more than money–he gives time, he gives talent, he gives attention. And all these things are given without regard to the fact that the recipient has done nothing at all to deserve them.

 

The new man puts serving above ruling. The new man is a servant. Why? Because his Master was a servant. After washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus said, “I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15). There is no room in His kingdom for pomposity, ego, or inordinate self-importance. The new man has a new mission in life–to put himself at the disposal of others, to be of service where ever and whenever he can. Hear Jesus again: “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” That needs no elaboration.

 

The new man puts forgiving before vengeance. “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32). This new man has the same spirit of forgiveness as does his Master. He looks for ways to reconcile, not ways to separate. He wants to forgive, not avenge. “Recompense to no man evil for evil...If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:17-18). He does not, and he will not, compromise the truth, but he nonetheless looks for ways to give what he has been given – forgiveness.

 

The new man. The forgiven man. The servant man. The forgiving spirit. The inveterate follower of Jesus Christ. That’s the new man.