1. II Corinthians 5:17.

2. Who is in Christ. Those persons who have heard and believed the gospel of Christ (Romans 10:17); repented of their sins (Acts 2:38), confessed their faith in Jesus (Matthew 10:32-33); and received the forgiveness of their sins by being baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3).

3. When Paul portrays a person in Christ as a new creature, he is painting a contrast between that person’s life prior to becoming a Christian and that person’s life as a Christian.

4. The characteristics of the man in Christ are described as new in terms of new habits, new motives, and a new lifestyle.

I. Values.

A. Kingdom of heaven is placed over earthly needs (Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:1-2).

B. Relationship with Christ takes precedence over earthly relationships (Matthew 10:32-37; Matthew 22:34-37; Mark 10:29-30; Philippians 1:21).

C. Spiritual blessings in Christ are placed over earthly achievement, position, fame, etc. (Ephesians 1:1-3; Galatians 1:10; Philippians 3:7; II Timothy 2:4).

II. Purpose.

A. Works toward achieving a new goal (Philippians 3:14).

B. Works to ward a heavenly reward (Matthew 5:12; Matthew 16:27).

III. Attitude.

A. Humility (Matthew 18:4; Matthew 23:12; Romans 12:3; Philippians 2:8; James 4:6-10; I Peter 5:6).

B. Obedience (Ecclesiastes 12:13; Philippians 2:8).

IV. Thoughts.

A. Heart is the source, or "reservoir" (Matthew 15:18-20).

B. It is important that we put proper thoughts in our hearts and keep them there (Philippians 4:8).

V. Manner of life.

A. In light of the coming judgment (II Corinthians 5:1-10; Hebrews 9:27; II Peter 3:11-12).

B. Old things are passed away, or put to death (Colossians 3:5).

C. Not sufficient to merely put off the old, we must also put on the new (Romans 6:4; Colossians 3:12-14).

VI. Manner of speech.

A. Must not only control what we think, but also what we say (Matthew 12:34-37).

B. Those persons who are in Christ are to have higher standards, principles in terms of their speech (Ephesians 4:29).

C. Those who are in Christ are to speak with wisdom (Colossians 4:6).

VII. Relationships.

A. To God (II Corinthians 5:18).

B. To possessions (Acts 4:32; I Timothy 6:8; Hebrews 13:5).

C. To world (II Corinthians 6:14-18; I John 2:15).

VIII. Significance of old relationships changes.

A. Husbands (Ephesians 5:25; I Peter 3:7).

B. Wives (Ephesians 5:22; I Peter 3:1-6).

C. Parents (Ephesians 6:4).

D. Children (Proverbs 20:11; Ephesians 6:1).

E. Employer (Ephesians 6:9).

F. Employee (Ephesians 6:5; I Peter 2:18-20).

1. Just as an automobile’s speedometer indicates how fast a car is traveling down a highway, these characteristics (or lack thereof) indicate whether or not we are traveling the narrow road that leads to eternal life.

2. A person may be "faithful" in a number of areas (such as attendance at assemblies for Bible study or worship) but without attention to these "matters of the heart" he is still not a new creature.