by Justin Edwards
http://airocross.com/2011/10/06/the-traits-of-new-creatures-in-christ/

In studying last night, I came across a chart in the John MacArthur Bible Commentary titled The Traits of New Creatures in Christ. Just yesterday Manfred posted an article at Defending Contending titled, "What Is a True Christian?", and I thought this post might be complementary to it.
The first column in MacArthur's chart concerns love. From 1 Corinthians 13:3-8, we know that love…

• suffers long
• is kind
• does not envy
• does not parade itself
• is not puffed up
• does not behave rudely
• does not seek its own
• is not provoked
• thinks no evil
• does not rejoice in iniquity
• rejoices in truth
• bears all things
• believes all things
• hopes all things
• endures all things

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:13

The second column of the chart concerns the fruit of the Spirit. From Galatians 5:22-23, we know the fruit of the Spirit is…

• love
• joy
• peace
• longsuffering (patience)
• kindness
• goodness
• faithfulness
• gentleness
• self-control

Against such there is no law… If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. – Galatians 5:23b, 25

The third column regards Christian affections toward godly things. From Philippians 4:8, we are called to meditate on whatever things are…

• true
• noble
• just
• pure
• lovely
• of good report
• of any virtue
• praiseworthy

The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. – Philippians 4:9

Finally, the last column deals with putting on the new man after having put off the old man. In Colossians 3:12-16, we are exhorted to put on these things…

• tender mercies
• kindness
• humility
• meekness
• longsuffering (patience)
• bear with one another
• forgive one another
• above all, put on love
• let the peace of God rule in your hearts
• be thankful
• let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly
• teach and admonish one another
• sing with grace in your hearts

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. – Colossians 3:17

These are the marks of the born again believer, one who has been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ, created to be zealous for good works, conforming to the image of Christ, considering others before himself, and loving and obeying God with all of his heart.
Examine yourself to determine whether these things are a reality in your life, and may the Lord Jesus Christ be glorified in you as you decrease that He might increase in every area of your being.
Recommended reading: The New Life in Christ

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. – Ephesians 4:17-24