First we must consider what has passed away.  The old man is critical. He is judgmental, full of pride and conceited or he is inferior and unworthy.  He does not forgive, is bitter, wants his own way, and lusts in  his heart.  There is no peace or contentment.  He needs thrills and excitement.  He always wants more.  Prone to anger and resentful.  He lives in fear and is suspicious of everybody.    These are some of the characteristics of the old man.  Some applied to every one of us.

            The new man on the other hand is free: free from sin and full of the Holy Spirit.  He is made new.  He does not judge or condemn.  He is not puffed up or pitied.  He seeks the good of others and works for the kingdom.  He has peace, love, and joy.  He can sit in silence and his soul is quiet.  He is one with God and in harmony with nature.  He does not need praise or approval and does not blame or put others down.  He has faith and hope.  These are some of the characteristics of the new man.  They apply to all who have worked out their salvation and are holy.  The question remains.  How to get there

            Without grace, without God, salvation is unattainable.  Unless we devote ourselves to God unconditionally, we will not receive what we seek.  We must recognize when the old man is in operation and repent.  Unless we ask Jesus into our heart and are washed in the blood of the lamb we have not begun the journey.  Then we must study scripture to be approved of God able to rightly divide the word of truth.  We must learn to be still and wait upon the Lord.  We must seek the Holy Spirit and ask to be filled.  We must recognize that while in Adam, while living with a sin nature, we picked up  spirits like anger, lust, jealousy, hatred, malice, and fornication and we need deliverance.  Unless God does the work holiness is unattainable.  Our cooperation is critical but salvation is of the Lord.  We neither deserve grace nor can we earn it.  Grace is a gift.  Ask for the gift and put your hand to the plow without turning back.  Be generous whenever possible.  Then if you are the elect, a new creature you will be. 

amen