Ephesians 4:20-24
But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Observations:
-We did not learn Christ this way, the futility of our minds, ignorance, darkness- we have been set free from all of that...
-IF- oh boy here it comes. IF. It says to us, "I've no doubt you are Christians IF you are living a Christian life."
-Out with the old, in with the new. Laying aside the old self is an interesting concept. On the one hand it has already been done when we were born again, but Paul implies there is more to it than that. It is also a daily process of taking up our cross and following Christ (Luke 9:23)
-Instead, be renewed in our minds and put on the "new self"-the likeness of God, marked by righteousness, holiness, and truth. Be Like God.
Application:
"The proof is in the pudding." "Actions speak louder than words." However we want to say it, Paul is saying here that salvation requires evidence. You can't live like the Gentiles, you need to walk worthy of your calling.
"Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the One I love." This laying aside the old self is an ongoing process. Yes, the work was accomplished on the cross, but while I walk this earth there is a battle going on. The old self still wants to be in control, it wants the place of honor back, and I have to be on guard daily not to let that happen. Each morning when I get up I have to decide to set my feet on the right path- to walk in a manner worthy of my calling.
How do I go about laying aside the old self? By renewing my mind- which means to make it like new again, pure, innocent, and as Paul states, in the image of God. When I think about all that inundates us these days; all that we let in through the radio, television, internet- what am I letting my mind dwell on? That which is pure and lovely and worthy of praise? That which helps me to walk in a manner worthy? Phillipians 4:8 states, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is worthy of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Let my mind dwell on these things.
There is a song that Kathy Troccoli sings that I often think of when I first wake up in the morning that starts like this:
Every morning there is a choice to be made
If I'm gonna follow and walk in the path that You laid
But, sometimes I'm lazy, You know it, Jesus
Sometimes I'm bold and I'm strong
But You know my heart and my greatest desire is You
I want no more of that old self. I long to live as one whose mind is renewed. I know the choice I have to make.
Blessings,
Deb
But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Observations:
-We did not learn Christ this way, the futility of our minds, ignorance, darkness- we have been set free from all of that...
-IF- oh boy here it comes. IF. It says to us, "I've no doubt you are Christians IF you are living a Christian life."
-Out with the old, in with the new. Laying aside the old self is an interesting concept. On the one hand it has already been done when we were born again, but Paul implies there is more to it than that. It is also a daily process of taking up our cross and following Christ (Luke 9:23)
-Instead, be renewed in our minds and put on the "new self"-the likeness of God, marked by righteousness, holiness, and truth. Be Like God.
Application:
"The proof is in the pudding." "Actions speak louder than words." However we want to say it, Paul is saying here that salvation requires evidence. You can't live like the Gentiles, you need to walk worthy of your calling.
"Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the One I love." This laying aside the old self is an ongoing process. Yes, the work was accomplished on the cross, but while I walk this earth there is a battle going on. The old self still wants to be in control, it wants the place of honor back, and I have to be on guard daily not to let that happen. Each morning when I get up I have to decide to set my feet on the right path- to walk in a manner worthy of my calling.
How do I go about laying aside the old self? By renewing my mind- which means to make it like new again, pure, innocent, and as Paul states, in the image of God. When I think about all that inundates us these days; all that we let in through the radio, television, internet- what am I letting my mind dwell on? That which is pure and lovely and worthy of praise? That which helps me to walk in a manner worthy? Phillipians 4:8 states, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is worthy of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Let my mind dwell on these things.
There is a song that Kathy Troccoli sings that I often think of when I first wake up in the morning that starts like this:
Every morning there is a choice to be made
If I'm gonna follow and walk in the path that You laid
But, sometimes I'm lazy, You know it, Jesus
Sometimes I'm bold and I'm strong
But You know my heart and my greatest desire is You
I want no more of that old self. I long to live as one whose mind is renewed. I know the choice I have to make.
Blessings,
Deb
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