A Changed Life

Christianity was advancing, and transforming both individuals and communities.

Studies in Paul’s Letter to the Galatians

The churches there were facing problems stirred up by opponents of the true Gospel. It was having an influence that weakened their control over the people.

The historian Josephus confirms that these groups became fierce persecutors of the Christians. At first, the man we know as the Apostle Paul was among the Jewish attackers. His becoming a Christian presented a serious problem for these opponents of the Gospel.

His careful reasoning from the Scriptures pointed out their misunderstanding of the Bible. His obviously transformed life was evidence that was hard to discredit. So they often focused their attack on the Apostle Paul in particular. They saw the struggles believers went through not as growth but as a weakness. There were problems from within the new Christian churches too. As the truth of God spread, ideas in the churches had to mature. They attacked his Apostleship by denying his special authority from God.

They tried to discredit him by implying that he got his authority from the Jerusalem Apostles, then that he turned against them, and got into arguments with Peter and James.

A Changed Life

These distortions were confusing the members of the churches. In this next part of his letter to the Galatians Paul answered back. But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. It came by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. The great persecutor of the church became its primary promoter. It was one of the top news stories of the day.

Paul evidently told about it often in his visits to local congregations. For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. In the early days of the church, a Christian named Stephen was put to death for his faith. Acts 6 tells how his message about Christ was misunderstood by the Jewish leaders. They said in Acts 6: The same false accusations were being made against the Apostle Paul which is why he wrote Galatians.

But back in the time of Stephen, when Paul was still known as Saul of Tarsus, Paul was a supporter of the attacks on that first Christian martyr. He clarified his support for Moses and the Temple. He brought the promises of the law to their fullness. Kelly Chor February 24, Keep Reading. Testimonies Kelly Chor shares how our Elders ministered to her during a difficult time in her life Sovereign Surprises - Anderson December 31, Category: Testimonies John Anderson shares how God worked and moved in his surprise diagnosis of cancer at age Sovereign Surprises - Bridges December 17, Category: Testimonies Richard and Mary Jane Bridges share how God has sovereignly surprised them - and continues to do so!

Sovereign Surprises - the Turbevilles December 10, The Turbevilles share some of the sovereign surprises they have received from God. Testimonies Martin and Andrea McNeil share their testimony of how God has blessed them through His sovereign surprises. Testimonies Jason was raised in a Christian home while Kim was not. This means that true biblical change must not bypass the mind. Sometimes, evangelists use emotional stories or music or a dramatic setting and then appeal to people to make a decision for Jesus.

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But they have bypassed the mind. Such decisions, made on the basis of emotions, will not last. God reasons with us through the truths of His Word.

Any change that bypasses the spirit of the mind will not last. So, the changed life begins by coming to know Christ personally. It requires putting off the old life of corruption and deceit, and being renewed in the spirit of our minds. Again, I believe that the sense is that we did put on this new man once and for all at the point of conversion, but we must continue putting on this new man every day by making true in our experience what is actually true of us positionally.

In other words, we must live by applying the truth of the new man in every situation that we face. Paul will make this very specific in 4: Note several things about this new man.

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First, while Paul is a p plying it individually here, it also has a corporate aspect. Whereas the old man lived for self, the new man considers others ahead of self. Whereas the old man was full of racial prejudice and pride, the new man erases those distinctions and views others in the body equally as brothers in Christ.

This corporate aspect of the new man implies that if you are not involved with a local church, where you are being built together with other believers, then you do not understand a major part of the new way in which you are supposed to live. Second, God is the creator of this new man. As we saw in Ephesians 2: God created us anew in Him. But, at the same time, we must walk in the good works that He has prepared for us.

Third, God is the pattern of this new man. See, also, Luke 1: Both qualities are the result of the truth, namely, the truth as it is in Jesus. In other words, the truth of sound doctrine results in holy living. Many of us that were raised in Christian homes may not know exactly when we came to faith in Christ. But no matter what our experience of conversion, we ought to know that God has changed our hearts. Formerly, we did not know Christ, but now we do, however imperfectly. Formerly, even if we maintained an outward veneer of virtue, we lived for self. Now, we live for Christ, to know Him and serve Him.

Formerly, we were being corrupted by the evil desires of sin that deceived us into thinking that they would bring fulfillment. Now, we are new creatures in Christ, living for righteousness and holiness, which come from the truth that is in Jesus. While it is a lifelong process of renewal, you should be able to see the distinct difference between the old person that you were and the new person that you now are in Christ.

The Power of a Changed Life

Handing Off the Baton 2 Timothy 4: Walking the Romans Road. Facing Winter Seasons 2 Timothy 4: The changed life begins by coming to know Christ personally 4: Paul describes the changed life in four ways: The changed life begins when you hear Christ. The changed life begins when you are taught in Christ. The changed life begins when you know the truth that is in Jesus.

The changed life requires putting off the old man 4: The changed life requires being renewed in the spirit of your mind 4: The changed life requires putting on the new man 4: What are some practical ways to be renewed in the spirit of your mind?