Scripture: Ephesians 4 v 22 - 24:
"That ye put off concerning the former conversation
the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed
in the spirit of your mind; and that you put on the new man, which after God is
created in righteousness and true holiness."
When we come to know Jesus we carry our baggage with us
instead of leaving it at the Cross. This
baggage is stored in our souls. Our soul consists of mind, will and emotions
which tend to dominate our spirit and flesh. We override Bible wisdom and
instruction with our common sense and logic, which satisfies our flesh but it
does not please God.
Our "old man" dies when we are baptised which
should take away our worldly habits, flaws and desires. However our will and
emotions join up to remind us of the pleasures of sin. The spirit is willing to
follow Jesus but the flesh is weak. We have good intentions but procrastinate
and forget. Or we are just plain stubborn and cling to our "old man"
like a baby to its dummy. One day you have to chuck that habit. You can't sit
in a boardroom sucking a dummy.
Its only when we are willing to accept separation from
the old sinful way of life that we truly enter into the body of Christ and the
blessed fullness of the life of abundance through the new birth. We can only experience
it when we courageously put on the New Man (the likeness of Jesus) and enter in
to the Invisible Body of Christ. Then we know what righteousness and holiness
means.
God created this new man and Jesus Himself was the first
to put it on. That means it transfers to us when we are baptised in water. We
don't really have a choice but until we renew our mind by filling it with
heavenly treasures our old man will continue scratching in the dirt. So choose
today if you will put off the old and put on the new so that you are free to
enjoy the fruits of righteousness.
The way to renew your mind is to actively assess what is
stopping your full and active spiritual growth. You need to fill your mind with
good thoughts, clean speech, Bible reading, praise singing and prayer for
others. While doing that observe when your focus wanders and distractions
enter. Satan jerks your old man into service when you get close to discovering
the truth of walking in the light of Jesus. So learn new Godly habits. Get rid
of all uncleanness and your mind will be renewed daily.
Prayer: Father God, help me to demagnetize my old fallen
nature that clings to me because I don't know what the nature of Jesus will
really do for me. Rejection and scoffing by friends is my big fear but I must
be a hooligan to stay with them. Help me see that my true friends will still
love me. And love me even more because Your love will shine through. I accept
with gladness the new man. In Jesus' name. Amen.