New Mankind -- Christ-man

New Mankind -- Christ-man

Old mankind -- Adam-man

In the beginning, God created this world by the Spirit of God and water (GENESIS 1:1-2; 2 PETER 3:5) in 6 days; and He created man in His image( GENESIS 1:27). Everything was good. However, Adam and Eve were enticed by the devil and misused the free will to disobey the clear and strict command of God and eat the forbidden fruit. Thus, the original sin enters mankind. The sins alienate men from God. Human beings are born with sins, live in sins and die in sins. The life of Adam is a life of disobedience to God, being alienated from God, being selfish, greedy and self-proud.

New mankind -- Christ-man

Because of the great mercy and love of God, when the time had fully come, He gave the salvation through His beloved and completely innocent son -- LORD Jesus Christ as the sacrifice for sins. LORD Jesus Christ is the Head of the new mankind. For those with their mouth that they confess and with their heart that they believe in LORD Jesus Christ’s holy name, God give them the chances to be reborn by the Spirit of Christ and water.

“In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. " ” (JOHN 3:3)

“Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. " ” (JOHN 3:5)

We were reborn by the Spirit of LORD Jesus Christ. After the rebirth, God’s will for us is to live in accordance with Holy Spirit and let Christ be in charge of our lives. And we should conform to the likeness of Christ and become saints that are one in Christ. The life of Christ is a new life of trusting and obeying God, denying oneself and humbling oneself.

The life of Jesus Christ is a model for the new mankind. We Christians should change our lives to conform to the likeness of Christ.

Nowadays, the wrong ideas of many Christians come from misunderstanding and misusing the concept of “Righteousness Through Faith” : they think that after the decision of belief, the baptism and rebirth, they will NATURALLY be like Christ; they can be saved without complete repentance; and they can be a saint without giving up the worldly things. These are extremely wrong!

To live as a saint, to live Christ’s life and to be one in Christ, need the co-operation of the free will of people; need the determination to crucify the old self; need to take up the cross; need to pass all kinds of tests and get refined all along the way.

God created human beings and also give salvations to them in order that people will be true children of God and be in harmony with the divine nature of God. Jesus Christ is the model of God’s children. God give himself for us to redeem us from all the wickedness and lead us to holiness, for without holiness no one will see the Lord. God are absolutely righteous, completely holly and the only good One. God do not tolerate wickedness. God redeem us to be a holy nation, a royal priesthood and children of light. The will of God for us is to be one in Christ.

Therefore, we should beat our bodies and take off the old self of the sinful nature with its passions, desires and self-pride. We should take up our own cross to follow LORD Jesus Christ. We should rejoice in God only, trust and rely on Him completely, obey the commands, teachings and will of God. We should conform to the likeness of Christ, that we have one faith, one baptism, one spirit, one mind and attitude, and one mission so that to be one in Christ. This is the will of God for the new mankind.

“You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (EPHESIANS 4:20-24)

“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ” ( ROMANS 8:29)

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. ” ( GALATIANS 2:20 )

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. ” ( 2 CORINTHIANS 3:18)

“ Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one. ” ( JOHN 17:11 )

“To Be One in Christ” is the will of God for us. It is a message from Holy Spirit. All praises, thanks and glories be to God!