Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

A Christian is someone who has been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. He is new creature, not refurbished but born a totally brand new man. This life affect his outward life, this does not mean that he won't make mistake, like the righteous man, he keeps bouncing back.

A believer is not just forgiven but born again. He does not have sin nature but God's nature. The old life was gone and now he has new life. The Spirit of the Lord now dwells in him to empower and enable him to live victoriously.

Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

The major challenge today is renewal of our mind through the word of God. 2 Corinthians 3:18  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

The Holy Spirit does the work of transformation, we can't do it, He does it. When done by us, we produce hypocrisy but when by the Spirit of the Lord, it is Christ like. We simply cooperate with Him through our obedience. 

Olanrewaju Niyi