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  A MAN OF NEW PRINCIPLES
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: Being a new creature in Christ means having a changed heart,
with new principles, judgments, and affections, and living a life that
is pleasing to God.

Topics: "Transformation in Christ", "New Life in Christ"
Scripture References: Psalm 119:105, Matthew 5:14-16, John 15:5, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 5:17, Ephesians 4:24, Philippians 3:20, Colossians 3:10, 1 John 2:15-17

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes that being in Christ transforms a person into a
new creature, fundamentally changing their judgment, will, affections,
and life choices. This new identity brings about a constant internal
conflict against sin, as the new man cannot coexist peacefully with it.
The new creature embraces a new understanding of good and evil,
prioritizing God and holiness above all else. Brooks illustrates that
this transformation is evident in the lives of biblical figures like
Paul and Zaccheus, who exemplify the new life that accompanies a renewed
heart. Ultimately, he reminds us that true glory comes from being made
new by God's grace.

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CONTENT
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"If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature;

old things are passed away, behold all things

are become new!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

A new creature has . . .

a new judgment,

a new will,

new affections,

new thoughts,

new company,

new choices,

new laws,

new ways,

new works, etc.

A new creature is a changed creature throughout.

The new creature includes a new light, a new sight,

a new understanding. The new creature sees sin to

be the greatest evil, and Christ and holiness to be the

chief good. When a man is a new creature, he has a

new judgment and opinion--he looks upon God as his

only happiness, and Christ as his all in all, and upon

the ways of God as ways of pleasantness. The new

man has new cares, new requests, new desires, "Oh

that my heart may be adorned with grace!"

The new man is a man of new principles.

If you make a serious inspection into his soul,

you shall find a principle . . .

of faith,

of repentance,

of holiness,

of love,

of contentment,

of patience, etc.

The new man experiences a new combat and conflict

in his soul. "The flesh lusts against the spirit, and the

spirit lusts against the flesh." He combats with all sorts

of known sins--whether they are great or small, inward

or outward, whether they are the sins of the heart or the

sins of the life. This conflict in the new man is a daily

conflict, a constant conflict. The new creature can never,

the new creature will never, be at peace with sin; sin and

the new creature will fight it out to the death. The new

creature will never be brought into a league of friendship

with sin.

The new man is a man of a new life. A new life

always attends a new heart. You see it in Paul,

Mary Magdalene, Zaccheus, the jailor, and all

the others that are upon Scripture record.

The new man has new society, new company.

Holy society is the only society for people with

holy hearts, and in that society can no man

delight, until God renews his heart by grace.

The new man walks by a new rule, which is the

written Word of God. This rule he sets up for all

matters of faith, and for all matters of practice.

Well, friends, whatever you do forget, be sure that

forever you remember this--that none can or shall

be glorious creatures, but such as by grace are

made new creatures.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/a-man-of-new-principles/
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