Does doing precede being, or being precede doing?

Does who we are determine what we do, or does what we do determine who we are?

Is a person a thief because he steals, or does he steal because he is a thief?

Who I am determines what I do.

2 Cor 5:17

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

We used to be worms = sinners on our way to hell

We are now butterflies = people who have been given Christ’s righteousness

We need to understand this truth

2 Corinthians 5:212 Corinthians 5:21

21For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, 21For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that so that in himin him we might become the righteousness of we might become the righteousness of God. God.

2 Corinthians 5:172 Corinthians 5:17

17Therefore, if anyone is 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christin Christ, he is a new creation , he is a new creation (our (our

legal standing).legal standing). The old has passed away; behold, the new has The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.come.

These verses are talking about legal realities (if we know Jesus as our These verses are talking about legal realities (if we know Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior). personal Lord and Savior).

Am I a New Creation ?

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. Romans 7:15

BEFORE CHRIST

•Dead

•In Darkness

•Strangers and Aliens

•In Life Of Sin

•Having No Hope

•Fear, Guilt, Shame

•Rejection

IN CHRIST

•Alive in Christ

•In Light

•Seated With Christ

•His Workmanship

•Granted Mercy

•Confidence, forgiveness

• Acceptance

Satan's Lie God's Truth

You are a sinner becauseyou sometimes sin.

You are a saint ( one declared righteous by GOD ) who sometimes sin.

You get your identityfrom what you have done.

You get your identity fromwhat God has done for you.

You get your identity fromwhat people say about you.

You get your identity fromwhat God says about you

Your behavior tells you what to believe about yourself.

Your belief about yourselfdetermines your behavior.

Battle is in Mind

Romans 12:2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the

renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and

acceptable and perfect will of God.

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of

Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:16So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner

self is being renewed day by day.

Colossians 3 1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand

of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with

Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear

with him in glory.

9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the

image of its Creator.

16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one

another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with

gratitude in your hearts to God.

STORY TIME

THE OLD MAN WITH THE RAGS

The Vicious cycle of Unbelief

The Gracious cycle of Faith

This is tough stuff.This is tough stuff.

It’s a daily battle.It’s a daily battle.

It’s a battle of the mind.It’s a battle of the mind.

Everything around us tells us our worth comes from something Everything around us tells us our worth comes from something other than Jesus Christ.other than Jesus Christ.

You need to think about this all the time. Remind yourself You need to think about this all the time. Remind yourself constantly.constantly.