miracle. We could never accomplish it by ourselves. That is why Paul wrote: “For by grace [God’s loving gift] you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10). No amount of effort on our part, unless it is accompanied by the power of God’s Spirit, would ever shape us into what God wants us to be. But with His Spirit working in us we become His workmanship—enabled to perform works truly pleasing to Him. We can comprehend what those righteous works are because God helps us, through the power of His Spirit, to discern how to observe the spirit (the intent) of “every word of God” (Luke 4:4). How does the Bible define the “good works” we should “walk in”? “But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:35). “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13). “[Christ] gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). “They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work” (Titus 1:16). A “lawless deed” cannot qualify as a “good work.” Rather, one who “works righteousness” is also known by his “good conduct.” Jesus stressed this truth when He said, “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:23). In contrast, through the power of the Holy Spirit God writes His laws in our hearts and minds, enabling us to obey the Scriptures (Hebrews 10:15-16; Ezekiel 36:2627). As Peter wrote: “Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:14-15, NRSV). Righteous works are simply the application of the principles found in God’s Word—performed through the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, as Jesus reminds us: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Luke 4:4). We can consistently do this, however, only if God works in us through His Spirit.
A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST How does Paul describe those who, after baptism, are transformed by the Holy Spirit? “. . . You have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed 10
Bible Study Course Lesson 9
in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him” (Colossians 3:9-10). “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27). “. . . God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). When our minds and hearts are transformed by the Holy Spirit, we “put on Christ.” Paul describes this dramatic change in our hearts and minds as Jesus Christ living within us. We “put off the old man with his deeds” and “put on the new man.” We are “renewed” in knowledge and in the spirit of our minds. As the children of God we become “in Christ” a truly new creation. God transforms us into His own family—His sons and daughters (2 Corinthians 6:18). What responsibility does this place on those who are being transformed? “You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24, NRSV). “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection” (Colossians 3:12-14). God is able and determined to create in us His own divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). “For He made Him [Christ] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). The first two chapters of Genesis briefly tell how God created the physical universe and emphasize that He made the first man and woman. But now He works on a far more important creation—the creation of righteous character in His sons and daughters. That is why our genuine, heartfelt repentance is so important as He begins this process in us. We have to want, with all of our heart, for Him to make us into a new person. Why is our participation so important? The creation of righteous character is a two-way process. God gives us the knowledge and all the power