Understand Your Transformation as the One New Man
The phrase One New Man comes from Ephesians 2. Here, Paul, in a letter to the Gentile Believers in Ephesus, explains that they are included in God’s redemptive and restorative plan that was first given to Israel.
Paul explains their transformation from being far off and then brought near through Jesus Christ.
- “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.”—Ephesians 2:13-18 (emphasis added)
God’s Intent of the One New Man
It has always been God’s intention to bless all the nations of the earth through the seed of Abraham.
“In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”—Genesis 22:18
The word Gentile means “nations.” So then, God’s declaration in Genesis 22:18 reveals His intent of blessing nations and using Abraham as the starting points.
But how would all the nations be blessed?
This fulfillment needed a physical starting point, which would be Israel. Israel would be the contact point from where the God of Heaven would reach down and bless the world through Jesus. It was through the blood of Jesus where the nations would find redemption, restoration, and peace.
Gentiles Who Accepted the God of Israel and Were Transformed
Throughout scripture, there is a theme of Gentiles being grafted into Israel through their acceptance of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
These individuals didn’t try to change God to fit their ideology or think they had replaced His chosen nation. They shifted their beliefs, principles, and devotion to His Word. And they understood how to do this through the Jewish people.
Rahab—Rehab was the wife of Salmon and the mother of Boaz. She was a Gentile living in Jericho. She was identified in scripture as a prostitute who showed hospitality to the Israelite spies. She provided a place of refuge when the king was trying to kill them.
She acknowledged the land the spies were pursuing was theirs. She heard of the mighty works of God that her people were terrified of. She confessed God’s identity, professed faith, and believed saying…
- “And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.”—Joshua 2:11
Rahab’s transformation—Rahab, once separated from God, was brought near after witnessing and hearing of God’s mighty works in the land. Her transformation occurred once she realized who she was dealing with and her need to be a part of nation that was led by the God of the universe.
Hebrews 11:30-31 describes her transformation as she believed, by faith, in the God of Israel.
- “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.”
Ruth—Ruth, a Gentile and Moabite, was also grafted into the family of Abraham. In previous generations, the Moabites attempted to curse the Israelites. As a result, God forbid them from His assembly.
- “An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the assembly of the Lord; even to the tenth generation none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the Lord forever, because they did not meet you with bread and water on the road when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you.”—Deuteronomy 23:3-4
Yet, through God’s plan, the Moabite woman became King David’s great-grandmother.
Ruth’s transformation—Ruth’s physical DNA held her back from entering the assembly of the Lord. Yet her spiritual DNA, once changed when she believed in the God of Israel, made a way for her. It was through her trust and understanding of the Lord that she bore the fruit of loyalty.
She became the wife of Boaz, who belonged to the family of her mother-in-law, Naomi. This godly virtue of loyalty was manifested as she committed to and embraced her new family and their God.
- “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.’”—Ruth 1:16
Isaiah Prophesies of the One New Man
“‘I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will heal him.’”—Isaiah 57:19
When Paul is writing to the Ephesians, he is explaining this prophecy. Those who are far off are the Gentiles, and those who are near is Israel. So then, we see this theme of the One New Man throughout scriptures—that there is reconciliation of the two through the blood.
The One New Man is Not…
The One New Man is not about uniformity, as we know, the Body of Christ has many parts and different functions.
- “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.”—1 Corinthians 12:12-14
Rather, the One New Man is about one purpose—Jews and Gentiles being united in Christ. For Gentile Believers, it is about understanding your inheritance and who you’ve been grafted into.
For Jewish Believers it is about the fulfilled promises passed down through your linage.
One New Man and the Family Tree
Like many people who research their linage to understand who they are, the information gathered fits into a family tree and gives clarity to why one looks or act a certain way.
The same applies to understanding your spiritual linage.
If you don’t know your spiritual inheritance and what you have access to in the spiritual real, how can you answer your God-given assignment?
The more you understand about your spiritual inheritance, the more you will be able to discern where God is leading you.
The Takeaway
Just like Rahab and Ruth, you have a sinful nature that needs to be redeemed. You are redeemed and transformed by faith in the blood.
You were once far, and now you are near! However, to step into your God-designed calling you must understand your inheritance and identity as the One New Man so that you can…
- Be confident
- Clearly hear God’s voice
- Understand our power and authority
- Walk in the fullness of our salvation
God doesn’t want you to live a life of depletion, but of completion! Jesus gave you an abundant life above what you can ask or think. It’s time to claim it!
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”—Ephesians 3:20-21
Do you want to know more about the One New Man?
Check out our events page HERE and discover how you can attend the One New Man conference.
Friday June 26, 2020 to Sunday June 28, 2020