Ephesians 4:23-24
23and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
There is a difference between Christianity and other religions. Typically religion is man attempt to connect with God. Rules and ceremonies are given to lead the followers in pleasing God. Christianity is God’s plan to reach humanity. This takes a great deal of pressure off.
Step one of Christianity is to accept God’s forgiveness. If we do this, we are looked upon favorably forever. While other faiths are attempting to perform in hopes to do well enough to please Him, Christ has already settled that issue.
There is a mental and emotional rest that is ours oce we’re at peace with God. We then wish to live for Him. Today’s passage gives some insight.
Step one of Christianity is to accept God’s forgiveness. If we do this, we are looked upon favorably forever. While other faiths are attempting to perform in hopes to do well enough to please Him, Christ has already settled that issue.
There is a mental and emotional rest that is ours oce we’re at peace with God. We then wish to live for Him. Today’s passage gives some insight.
The Lord is interested in our thought life and behavior. We do have a new nature at our conversion. Ezekial 11;19 says, “And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh”. We now want to do His will.
The first point addressed is to be renewed in the spirit of our mind. We are to be in the bible. It’s His word. This is the main way He speaks to us. It’s more than learning what to do and not to do. It’s like being mentored by someone. We get to watch them in different situations. We know their mannerisms, their responses, what grieves them, what makes them sad, happy, etc. Being in bible does this for us.
We are to also put on the new self. This implies there is in old self. This is true. It’s our body. As long as we are here on earth we will contend with it. This old nature has desires that are usually contrary to God (Romans 7:19). So, we have competing desires. The one that’s stronger will be in control. Feeding the spirit with the bible, christian fellowship, prayer, etc. is our nourishment. To ignore these makes our spirits feeble and weak. The fleshly nature will dominate.
We must choose to put on the new self. It’s our life of “choosing God”. It’s the collection of decisions for Him. Does someone’s action make me angry or can I look past it? Will be focus on sinful thoughts or look past them? It’s a moment by moment “puting on the new self”.
The awesome part of this is that we are getting closer to God as we renew our minds and put on the new self. We aren’t trying to earn our way. We are tapping into His heart. We are following our mentor. Just as Adam walked with God in the garden, so we are doing the same.
Lord, thank You for the priviledge of being able to “tag along”. Help us to yield to You in the process. Help us get past the stubborn parts that hold us back.