I. "Newness of life"
A. Rom 6:1-6. We were buried with Him in baptism, putting to death our old
man of sin (v. 6).
B. When we are raised from that grave, we must then "walk in newness of
life"(v. 4).
C. What does this mean? Rom 6:11-13 explains it a little better. We are to not
let sin reign in our bodies, nor obey its lusts. Rather we are to obey God
and His will for us.
D. Some had been teaching that we should just keep sinning because God will
forgive us (Rom 6:1). Paul says this is absolutely not true! We must walk
in a new way, with newness of life.

II. "Put on the new man"
A. Eph 4:17-24. Paul introduces the idea that we cannot continue to live like we
used to (v. 17). We must rather live like God wants us to (v. 24).
B. There should be a difference in our lives when we become a Christian. We
should try to improve ourselves each day and be more of what God wants
us to be.
C. We should not go back to the way we used to live. Our goal is always to go
forward to where God wants us to be.
D. Eph 4:25-32. This section gives us some very practical instruction for how we
put on the new man. We must rid ourselves of these bad behaviors and do
what God wants instead.
E. v. 25-Lying is commonplace in the world. We must rather speak truth.
People should be able to trust the word of a Christian.
F. v. 26-27-People do evil things when they become angry. We must be sure to
"be angry and do not sin," meaning we control our anger and do not let it
linger.
G. v. 28-We must not steal (in any of its forms) but rather work so we can give.
H. v. 29-30-We must rid ourselves of corrupt speech, replacing it with what is
necessary for edification (building up). Corrupt speech in the mouth of a
Christian can "grieve the Holy Spirit of God"(v. 30).
I. v. 31-32-Attitudes like those in v. 31 reflect a hatred and dislike in our hearts
toward others. We must replace that with kindness, even toward those
who hurt us. Remember even Jesus took abuse from sinners.
J. These are just some of the applications God teaches us. We must learn to
reflect His values in every area of our lives. If we are truly following
Him, others will be able to tell because we live the way He taught us to.

III. "That we should no longer be children"
A. When we become Christians, we are only babes. We must continue to grow
and become stronger in God's things.
B. Eph 4:13-16. God wants us to continue to grow up. He tells us that we our
goal is to be "a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of
Christ"(v. 13).
C. v. 14-It will not do to continue being a child, since they are tossed to and fro
with the prevailing wind. We must be strong, like adults-able to tell
what is right or wrong and remain steady.
D. v. 15-God's intent is for us to grow up!
E. How do we grow? 1 Pet 2:1-3. We grow by taking in the pure milk of the
word. When we hear and believe and learn the word of God alone, we
will grow toward Christ.

IV. "Add to your faith"
A. 2 Pet 1:5-8. Here Peter gives us some of the areas in which we can grow. Not
only must we stop doing those things of the world, we must develop the
proper attitudes so we can be like God.
B. "Giving all diligence"-This is serious business, and we must be very
attentive to our spiritual state. We do not want to "drift away"(Heb 2:1)
from God!
C. Faith-our belief in Jesus as shown by what we do.
D. Virtue-moral excellence, living a good, clean, Christian life.
E. Knowledge-We must learn from Scripture so we can know God's will for us.
F. Self-control-We live for God now, we must control ourselves.
G. Perseverance-Patience is needed so we can afterward obtain the price.
H. Godliness-Our love for God shown in caring for others.
I. Brotherly kindness-Constant care for our fellow-workers for God.
J. Love-Wanting what is best for others, even if it hurts us.
K. The promise: If these are our qualities, we will be fruitful in the day of the
Lord (v. 8).

Let us continue to grow up toward Christ by diligently seeking after Him!___Jacob Hudgins