that the Authorized Version word `conversation' means much more than merely

speaking with another, rather the whole manner of life.

The foundation of this teaching is Romans 6:6:

`Knowing this, that our old man is (was) crucified with Him, that the body

of sin might be destroyed (rendered inoperative), that henceforth we

should not serve sin'.

The lusts or desires that dominate the unregenerate mind have one

characteristic, they are `deceitful'.  This is not to be limited to the coarser

lusts of the flesh; the higher and finer activities of the mind are marked with

the same Satanic brand, for Colossians 2:8 speaks of `philosophy' as being `vain

and deceitful', and essentially so, inasmuch as it is `not after Christ'.  The

new man therefore arises out of the `truth in Jesus', and repudiates the lie,

that is, whatever is not `after Christ'.  Christ must be the foundation and top

stone of this erection, even as He is the Alpha, Omega and Amen of the purpose

of the ages.

The glorious truth given to the apostle to make known with such fervour is

no mere negation.  It does not find its full expression in `putting off' merely,

but is only fully expressed when `put off' is succeeded by `put on'.  But, just

as the old man, which has become corrupt, implies the creation of Adam at the

beginning, so the new man, which is to be put on, necessitates a new creation.

There are two ways whereby this new creation could be attained, either by an

instantaneous act without previous preparation, or by a process beginning here

and now in this present life and reaching its consummation in that instantaneous

change `in the twinkling of an eye' when this mortal shall put on immortality.

This latter method appears to be one that describes the work of God.

Having said so much, it is necessary to draw attention to just exactly what

phase of the new creative work belongs to this present life, and what belongs to

the life to come.  It will be found upon examination that the Lord begins the

work here in connection with the mind, reserving until the day of redemption and

resurrection His work relating to the body.  The body of the saintliest believer

is just as mortal as it was before his conversion.  Paul had to acknowledge that

while the inward man was renewed day by day, the outward man was perishing.

This perishing and mortal body is indeed allowed to feel the earnest of the

risen life, and many times the earthen vessel is `cast down but not destroyed',

thereby bearing about in the body the `dying of the Lord Jesus', that the life

also of Jesus might be made manifest in `our mortal flesh'.  That is precious

truth, but the flesh is `mortal flesh' just the same.  Therefore, seeing these

two phases of the new creation and their appointed times, we observe the order

in Ephesians 4, where the first step is indicated by the words, `And be renewed

in the spirit of your mind' (Eph. 4:23).  The New Creation begins within.  Its

present sphere is the mind.  The body is not changed until the resurrection.

The due observance of this sequence is an important factor in the interpretation

of the epistle to the Philippians:

`The mind of Christ' (Phil. 2:5) now.

`The body of His glory' (Phil. 3:21) then.

Ananeoo (`to be renewed') does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament.

Two words are employed to express the idea of newness kainos and neos.  Kainos