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THE
NEW LIFE by
John Marshall
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PREFACE
THIS is a book about
"The new and living way" which holds, for the faithful
believer, the promise of such great glory.
The new life is appointed for those who are termed, by the
Apostle Paul, "new creatures" who are born of God
by the blood of Jesus and whose nature "is created after
the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness".
It is a life which is vastly different from the warp of the
world, and in the chapters which follow the author attempts
to define and to make clear in practical terms most of the
issues that confront the children of God in their dealings
with one another and with the world.
It is hoped that readers, generally, will find profit and
pleasure in reviewing once again the foundations of their
spiritual life; and that those who are preparing for baptism
or have just been baptized, will find the kind of help and
encouragement that will enable them to face the responsibilities
of the new life, as well as realizing its greatness.
A detailed table of contents has been provided for ease of
reference to particular topics.
I am indebted to Brother C. Cooper for some helpful suggestions
for the improvement of certain chapters.
J.M.
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References
Heb 10v20, 2 Cor 5v17, Gal 6v15, Eph 4v24 RSV
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Chapter
1 • FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT
IN THE inspiring first
chapter of his epistle to the Ephesians the Apostle Paul writes
of the origin, the status, the glory and the future inheritance
of the saints, whom he later describes as "children of light".
Then as if to bring home to every believer the wonder of his salvation,
he begins chapter 2: "And you did he quicken, when ye were
dead through your trespasses and sins."
The World of Darkness
It is only by realizing the nature of the world of "trespasses
and sins" that we can appreciate the worth of Christ's sacrifice
in redeeming or freeing us from it. And we must look at this world
through God's eyes, with the help of His word, and not through our
own. Once we do this we shall understand how desperate is the state
of those who remain in it even if they be relatives and friends.
When Jesus first came John recorded that "the light shineth
in darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not", and thus
it has ever been.
To be rescued from this world of darkness men must respond with
more than a highly moral life: they have to come to God in
belief and with an act of faith. "He that doeth truth cometh
to the light that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought
in God."
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References
John 1v5, John 3v21
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