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"Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:24).
As we near the end of another season and enter into a new one, there is a heightened sense of change — first, the obvious and uncontrollable being weather patterns, variations in temperature, and daylight hours. Then there are the changes that may affect each of us much differently, such as schedules, activities, sleep patterns, or environment. All of these factors influence and impact our daily lives. Through these inevitable changes, we may believe that human nature can be reshaped or perhaps even improved with a better and fresh start; however, it really cannot. Human nature is corrupt and can only be transformed by the power of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit.
God beckons us to come away from the world, the flesh, and the devil. He tells us — stop telling lies (Ephesians 4:25); do not sin by letting anger control you (Ephesians 4:26); quit stealing and instead use your hands for good, hard work (Ephesians 4:28); do not use foul or abusive language (Ephesians 4:29); and get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, and instead, be kind to each other (Ephesians 4:31-32). Whew! That is a lot to attempt to avoid. Perhaps these are things we have already thought, said, or acted upon … and it’s not even noon yet!
Transitioning from something old to new can be difficult, whether that be a job position, season of life, or an item. But, there is something "old" the Bible tells us that we should get rid of and something "new" that we should embrace (Ephesians 4:20-24). We must remind ourselves daily that while Jesus has already given us a new self through His work of salvation, we are to still live out the new life we have received by no longer living as our old selves.
With the help of the Holy Spirit, there are actions we can take to reject the old and welcome the new — by embracing what we have received through Christ; by choosing to be slow to speak and slow to anger (James 1:19–20); by allowing ourselves to slow down and accept that time is not in our control; by building one another up with authentic words; by forgiving others for what they have done; by seeking to glorify God in all that we say and do by relying on His power within us and resting in His sufficiency.
May the Spirit create in us, again and again each day, a desire to be like the One who made us, the One who took the shape of a man, to make us into the shape of His Son. May we go out with the old and in with the new ... all before noon!
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