Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [creation], old things are passed away; behold all things are become new – 2nd Corinthians 5:17.

When a person comes into vital union with Jesus they are a new creation. Jesus has reconciled the once-sinner to the Father.

Reconciliation is the act whereby God based on Jesus Christ’s death has eliminated the cause of hostility between Himself and humanity, making a complete and maturing relationship. But like all relationships, we must commune with Him daily.

Two kinds of old things pass away when we become Christians (1) the spirit nature, and power of sin the old man which is nothing more nor less than the spirit nature, and the power of Satan working in them through disobedience to the Word of God. (2) Outward sin or transgressions of the law of God, both outward and inward sin must pass away or one cannot claim to be in Christ.

The Old Man – Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin. Our old man is our old self, the person we were before we were crucified with Christ. The believer now has the power to serve Christ instead of his old master.

So many times people accept salvation, but they aren’t told or explained what they have received when they receive salvation. The minute a person says yes to the Lord, he or she is immediately given the power to overcome sin. We have to rely on the Spirit of God to enable us to live according to His Word.

We can’t continue to live in the old lifestyle (That ye put off concerning the former conversation [conduct] the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts – Ephesians 4:22). Christianity is the renounce their pre-conversion life and sins, being renewed in their minds, to be constantly changed; being brought more and more in line with God’s viewpoints, that is, to assume a new nature which is character and conduct that is life at conversion. If this has not happened the person hasn’t accepted salvation from the heart, they have accepted an emotional salvation.

Since one has become a new creation in salvation, we shouldn’t lie to each other seeing that the old man is all that a person was before salvation, his or her worldly thinking and sinful acts are no longer practiced. (Lie not one to another seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds – Colossians 3:9). Since the old way of life was renounced at conversion, one should not lie, living in falsehood, pretending to be a Christian when their lifestyle is the opposite. When we become Christians we should become Christ-like; if one is having trouble living a Christian life, they should talk with someone who has been a Christian for a while that can assist them in their Christian walk.

Becoming a Christian does not mean you will be mature immediately, it is a process and it takes your cooperation in the process. You have to decide you will stop going and doing things you were doing before becoming a Christian.

With the assistance of the Holy Spirit, one can live a godly lifestyle because it will not be about what we do, but of His righteousness, He makes us righteous (Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost – Titus 3:5). Regeneration refers to the work of the Holy Spirit in the salvation experience that produces new life in the believer.

This is why it is so important for Christians to receive the Holy Spirit. The majority of the time, we don’t receive the Holy Spirit at our conversion, but in the process of salvation and our desire for the Holy Spirit. Jesus comes into our hearts at conversion, then the Holy Spirit comes to indwell our spirit as we allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit.

It is by the Holy Spirit we receive the revelation of God’s written Word. The Holy Spirit strengthens us to live according to the Holy Scriptures. He’s our counselor, helper, and teacher. We can’t live a godly life without His assistance.

Christians must mature in their walk with the Lord, we can’t continue to be baby Christians. Our Christianity can and will lead others to Christ. We don’t want to be a stumbling block by our partial Christianity. Ask and receive the Holy Spirit, read and study God’s Word, fast and pray, attending Sunday School, Sunday Worship, and weekly Bible Study. As you do these things you will grow spiritually.