4.
The new man is one who is born of the same Spirit that brought Christ into the world. He is in Christ. He has become a part of the life that is revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ. As the Lord Jesus was unique, so are all those who are in Him. The are new, furnished with a new outlook on life. Life is now viewed through the eyes of the Lord Jesus. Through the Word of the Lord and the Spirit of the Lord. They are now new creatures, the old has passed away and all has become new. Some of this transformation is immediate, like a babe entering into this world. Its all new, strange and different. Some is by way of growth, as we live and grow in the Lord. 2 Cor. 5:17.
The new man will not necessarily live under a new standard, for the Holiness of the Lord remains the same, whether under Law or grace. Under the Law given Moses, man was the key element. Man is weak and utterly failed. Now Christ has fulfilled the Law. He satisfied all its demands. Now, that same spirit that enabled Him to satisfy its requirements dwells in the believer. We now live under the Law of the Spirit of life found in the Lord Jesus. He makes it possible for us to live the Christ life. Rom. 8:2 The blessings of the new life are contained in the Lord Jesus. Therefore, when we are in Him, all spiritual and heavenly benefits are made available to us. Eph. 1:3.
Paul in his search for the life that he visualized in the Lord Jesus established a method where by the goal may be reached. He had counted all things but loss, for the great purpose of obtaining the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus. His single minded desire was to win Christ. To be fully the real Christ man. A perfect example and demonstration of the life of the Lord Jesus lived through his life. The secular attainments for which he had previously struggled were discounted and now looked upon as but refuse. All for the grand purpose of having the completeness of the life of Christ in him. The Consecration, the dedication of himself to that high spiritual achievement is to be admired and emulated by all who would be followers of the Lord. Phil. 3:8 The last day church, more than any other generation of Christians must have this same mind and seek after those things which are above and not after the things of this earth.