Transformed – Understanding the Radical Change of Salvation
Many people claim the title of “Christian,” but is it merely a label, or does it represent a fundamental transformation? This article delves into the profound changes that occur when someone truly encounters Christ, drawing insights from Ephesians 4:17-24 and related scriptures. It’s not just about attending church or saying a prayer; it’s about a spiritual rebirth that alters the very core of who you are.
The Stark Contrast: Before and After Salvation
Before salvation, the Bible paints a sobering picture of humanity’s condition. As highlighted in Ephesians 4:17-19, individuals walk:
- In the futility of their mind, their thoughts and purposes ultimately meaningless.
- With darkened understanding, unable to grasp spiritual truth.
- Excluded from the life of God, lacking the divine connection and purpose.
- In ignorance and hardness of heart, resistant to God’s grace.
- Callous, desensitized to sin and its consequences.
- Given over to sensuality and impurity with greediness, pursuing selfish desires without restraint.
This isn’t just a description of the “worst” people; it’s a diagnosis of everyone before salvation, as Paul emphasizes in Ephesians 2, describing them as “dead in trespasses and sins.” This “death” signifies an inability to respond to God or divine truth. They are under the influence of the world’s system, dominated by Satan.
The Monumental Shift: Learning Christ and Being Transformed
However, the good news is that everything changes with salvation. Ephesians 4:20-21 states, “But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus.” Learning Christ refers to embracing the Gospel truth, a truth that demands a response and leads to a monumental transformation.
This transformation isn’t just a minor adjustment; it’s a divine miracle. It’s what Jesus meant when he said you must be born again (John 3:3). As 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
The Three Infinitives: Laying Aside, Being Renewed, and Putting On
Paul uses three powerful infinitives in Ephesians 4:22-24 to illustrate the nature of this transformation:
- Lay aside the old self: This means shedding the former manner of life, the “old self” that is corrupted by deceitful lusts. It’s a complete removal, not just a repair.
- Be renewed in the spirit of your mind: This involves a fundamental shift in thinking, a transformation that reaches the deepest levels of comprehension and reason. The Holy Spirit alters your perspective and worldview.
- Put on the new self: This means embracing a new identity, one that is created in the likeness of God, characterized by righteousness and holiness of the truth. It’s a new creation, God’s masterpiece.
This transformation isn’t merely an addition to the old self; the old self is removed and replaced. Colossians 3:9-10 echoes this, stating that you have “put off the old self with its evil practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
The Evidence of Transformation: A Life of Righteousness
So, how do we know if someone is truly a Christian? It’s not just about fleeting feelings or a one-time prayer. It’s about a consistent pattern of righteousness in their life. As 1 John 3:7-10 explains, “The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous… No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”
This doesn’t mean Christians are perfect, but it does mean that the dominating pattern of their life is righteousness, not sin. They are motivated by a new heart and a new spirit, as described in Ezekiel 36:26-27.
The Ongoing Struggle: Flesh vs. Spirit
While salvation brings about a radical transformation, the struggle with sin doesn’t disappear entirely. Paul acknowledges this in Romans 7, explaining that sin resides in the mortal body or flesh, not in the new self. The new self desires to obey God, but the flesh often pulls in the opposite direction.
However, the good news is that Christians have the power to overcome through the resident Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and obedience to God’s commands. As Paul states in Romans 6:11, “Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
Conclusion: Embrace Your New Identity
True salvation is far more than a superficial change; it’s a complete transformation that alters your identity, your desires, and your destiny. It’s about laying aside the old self, being renewed in your mind, and putting on the new self, created in the likeness of God.
Are you experiencing this transformation? If so, embrace your new identity and live a life of righteousness, empowered by the Holy Spirit and guided by the Word of God. Obey His commands, and you will experience the victory that comes from walking in the fullness of your salvation.
Call to Action: Reflect on your life. Does it reflect the transformation described in scripture? If not, seek God with all your heart and ask Him to reveal the truth of salvation to you. Study the scriptures, pray for guidance, and seek fellowship with other believers who can encourage you on your journey.
What distinguishes true salvation from simply having good feelings or praying a prayer to Jesus?
[00:39] Salvation is not merely about having good feelings or saying a prayer. It’s a spiritual transformation [04:30]. True salvation involves a divine miracle that transforms a sinner into a saint, as Jesus described being born again [04:42]. This transformation is evident through a changed life, characterized by putting off the old self and putting on the new self, reflecting righteousness and holiness [01:10]. It’s more than just musings; it’s a complete change in nature and direction.
How does the Bible describe a person’s condition before and after salvation, according to Ephesians?
[01:36] Before salvation, individuals are described as walking in the futility of their minds, darkened in understanding, excluded from the life of God, ignorant, hard-hearted, callous, and given over to sensuality [01:49]. They are considered dead in trespasses and sins [05:36]. After salvation, they are renewed in the spirit of their minds, putting on a new self created in the likeness of God, characterized by righteousness and holiness [01:23]. They are made alive with Christ [07:16] and become God’s workmanship, created for good works [07:41].
What are the three infinitives Paul uses in Ephesians 4 to describe the transformation of salvation, and what do they mean?
[14:03] The three infinitives are: ‘lay aside’ [14:23], ‘be renewed’ [14:29], and ‘put on’ [14:29]. ‘Lay aside’ refers to putting off the old self, the former manner of life corrupted by deceitful lusts [15:07]. ‘Be renewed’ signifies the renewal in the spirit of the mind [01:23], a change in thinking and understanding. ‘Put on’ means putting on the new self, created in the likeness of God, characterized by righteousness and holiness [16:09]. These infinitives describe the comprehensive nature of the transformation brought about by God’s saving work.
Does salvation involve repairing or realigning the old self, or is it something more radical?
[16:21]
Salvation is not about repairing or realigning the old self. Instead, it involves the complete removal and replacement of the old self with a new self [16:47]. The old self is not repaired or improved; it is put off entirely [16:52]. This is likened to a death and resurrection, where the old self dies, and a new creation emerges [17:40]. The new self is created in righteousness, holiness, and truth, reflecting the image of God [28:25].
If a Christian is a new creation, why do they still struggle with sin, and where does Paul locate the source of sin in a believer’s life?
[32:54] Paul does not locate sin in the new self, which is created in righteousness, holiness, and truth [33:12]. Instead, he locates sin in the mortal body or the flesh [34:19]. The believer is a new creation possessing eternal life, but they are still connected to mortality, which is where sin resides [34:51]. This explains the ongoing struggle, as the new self wars against the desires of the flesh [38:37]. Victory is gained through obedience to God’s commands, empowered by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God [47:13].
The following sermon by Pastor John MacArthur is one that goes deep into the reality of salvation. I highly recommend it as one of great examination to see whether or not one is truly saved by grace.
Questions & Answers
What is the main topic being discussed in this passage, Ephesians chapter 4, verses 17-24,?
A: The passage is about Ephesians chapter 4, verses 17-24, focusing on the transformation that occurs when someone is saved. It compares the life of a person before and after salvation, emphasizing the radical change that takes place.
What is the condition of people before salvation, according to the passage?
A: Before salvation, people walk in the futility of their mind, are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, ignorant, hard-hearted, callous, and given over to sensuality and the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. They are described as dead in trespasses and sins and walking according to the course of this world under the influence of Satan.
Changes
What changes occur when someone experiences salvation?
A: Salvation brings about a renewal in the spirit of the mind. The old self is laid aside, and the new self is put on, which is created in the likeness of God in righteousness and holiness of the truth. This is described as a spiritual transformation, a new creation, and being born again.
What does it mean to “learn Christ” as mentioned?
A: To “learn Christ” is synonymous with salvation. It involves hearing and learning the truth of the gospel, which leads to faith and a transformative experience.
Common Misconceptions
What are some common misconceptions about who is a Christian?
A: The passage addresses the misconception that simply attending a Christian church, having good feelings about Christ, praying a prayer, or making a decision automatically makes someone a Christian. The passage emphasizes that spiritual transformation is essential.
What are the three infinitives used in Ephesians 4:22-24 to describe the transformation of salvation?
A: The three infinitives are “lay aside” (the old self), “be renewed” (in the spirit of your mind), and “put on” (the new self).
Lay Aside
What does it mean to “lay aside the old self”?
A: To “lay aside the old self” means to remove the former manner of life, the composite of one’s invisible nature prior to salvation. It signifies a complete break with the past and a rejection of the sinful nature.
Q: What does it mean to “put on the new self”?
A: To “put on the new self” means to embrace a new identity that is created in the likeness of God, characterized by righteousness and holiness of the truth. It is a replacement of the old self, not just an addition to it.
What Does The New Self Look Like?
How does the passage describe the new self in terms of its characteristics?
A: The new self is described as being created in the likeness of God, in righteousness and holiness of the truth. It is also described as being godlike and renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the one who created him.
How does the passage address the reality of sin in the life of a believer?
A: The passage acknowledges that believers still sin, but it locates sin in the mortal body or the flesh, not in the new self. The new self is created in righteousness and holiness, while the flesh is still subject to temptation and sin. Believers are called to not let sin reign in their mortal bodies.
Power To Overcome Sin
What is the source of power for believers to overcome sin?
A: Believers have the power to overcome sin through the resident Holy Spirit, the new life created in righteousness, holiness, and truth, and the word of God. Ultimately, it comes down to obedience to God’s commands.
What is the significance of Jesus’s last words, the Great Commission, in relation to sanctification?
A: Jesus’s command to teach believers to observe all things He has commanded highlights that obedience is the path of sanctification. It emphasizes the importance of following God’s commands as a means of growing in holiness.
Triumph Over Sin
What is the ultimate triumph over sin that believers can look forward to?
A: The ultimate triumph over sin is the redemption of the body, which will occur when believers receive their resurrected bodies that are free from sin and mortality. This will be a complete and final victory over the flesh.
How does the passage in Ezekiel 36:25-27 relate to the concept of salvation described in Ephesians?
A: Ezekiel 36:25-27 describes salvation as a washing from filthiness and idols, the giving of a new heart and spirit, and the planting of the Holy Spirit, which causes people to walk in God’s statutes and observe His ordinances. This parallels the transformation described in Ephesians, emphasizing the radical change and new creation that occurs through salvation.
Worldview
What does it mean to have a “Christian worldview,” and why is it important?
A: A Christian worldview means seeing the world through the lens of biblical truth. It implies that a believer’s mind has been transformed and that they don’t think the way they used to think about anything. The passage suggests that if someone is truly saved, they should have a Christian worldview, although they may not fully articulate all the elements of scripture.