“You were taught … to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; … and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Ephesians 4:22, 24
Before Jesus was on the throne of my life, I was (among many other dishonorable things) a thief. If some item was nailed down, I likely tried to steal it. As I grew spiritually, I gained admiration for older Christians who had devoted themselves to honoring the Lord and living with integrity. They were such beautiful people, not marred by the overt sins I had worn proudly. I wondered how I would ever be able to live as they did.
Ephesians 4 gives us concrete instructions for living as children of God. We must first acknowledge that how we lived in the past was wrong. Then, those of us who stole can show God’s redemptive power by being people who work and give generously. Those of us who lived dishonestly can be pillars of truth. Those of us who displayed anger and hot tempers can be sources of love. All of us can show what redemption looks like when our lives are transformed.
Put off the old self—the self that loved corruption and deceit. And don’t stop there! Now put on the new self of goodness and truth. Wear Jesus like a crown.
Ephesians 4 gives us concrete instructions for living as children of God. We must first acknowledge that how we lived in the past was wrong. Then, those of us who stole can show God’s redemptive power by being people who work and give generously. Those of us who lived dishonestly can be pillars of truth. Those of us who displayed anger and hot tempers can be sources of love. All of us can show what redemption looks like when our lives are transformed.
Put off the old self—the self that loved corruption and deceit. And don’t stop there! Now put on the new self of goodness and truth. Wear Jesus like a crown.
Scripture Focus
Ephesians 4:20-28
Insight
Father, help me be a conduit of truth, love and light. As You undid Peter’s threefold denial of You, undo my wayward choices. Amen
Bible In A Year
- Leviticus 9-10
- Psalm 50
- Luke 14