New Creatures in Christ

"The people of God are not to be addressed as those who are still totally depraved, 'wholly incapable aof any good and inclined to all evil,' but are to be treated and addressed as new creatures in Christ. At the same time, however, it must be remembered that God's people are still imperfect. Christians should therefore deal with each other as forgiven sinners. There must always be a readiness to accept and forgive brothers who have sinned against us. Whatever correction is to be done, further, should take place in the spirit of Galatians 6:1, 'Even if a man should be detected in some sin, my brothers, the spiritual ones among you should quietly set him back on the right path, not with any feeling of superiority but being yourselves on guard against temptation(phillips).'" Anthony A. Hoekma, The Bible and the Future, p. 70