8.
In the beginning God created man. That man was created to reflect the likeness and nature of the Lord. He was made in the image and likeness of God. He was brought into existence to be a son of God. Gen. 1:26 Little did Adam or Eve understand their holy purpose for being placed on this earth. They were showered with benefits both earthly and heavenly. They were privileged to have a sweet communion and walk and talk with the Lord. But then, sin entered and the whole of their world was spoiled. They were expelled from Eden, from paradise. Gen. 3:23.
Left guarding the gateway to the garden of Paradise were cherubims and a flaming sword. Gen. 3:24 A type of the Godhead. Signifying that there is a way into the garden of the Lord, but it will cost one their life. That is their old life. Something that most people want to get rid of anyhow. How many times do people say they wish they could start over again. The beauty of it is, that it is possible to have a new and fresh start. They must come through the sword, the Word of the Lord. The totality of the old man must be laid aside. This too takes place when we enter properly, through the Word. Eph. 4:22.
The New Man is to possess the full nature of the one, the Lord, who has brought Him into a new life, a new creation. A regenerated being. A person whose interest is now in things spiritual. They seek after the mind of the Lord. They are sanctified, cleansed and best of all forgiven for all the corruptions of the past life. They now put on the New Man. Eph. 4:23-24 They now seek the righteousness of the Lord and no longer seek to justify their wrong doings. It is not a case of reformation but of new creation. It is not a process of education, but that of following the teachings of the new nature which now is birthed within the spirit nature of man. The power of the Lord is unlimited in creating the new man. The Lord deals with all things. A complete new change. All becoming new in the Lord. The very nature of the living Lord is then made evident in the life style and daily mannerism of that new creature. The new man is a man of dedication unto the Lord. The Word becomes his companion and daily guide. Those who are submissive to the will of the Lord will find the Spirit and the Word very active in their lives, molding their character into the likeness of the character of the Lord.