Put On The New Man

VERSE OF THE DAY: ~Ephesians 4:20-24 “But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

This passage describes the very essence of what happens when one is “Born Again”. There are many references throughout the Bible dealing with this subject of being made new. Ezekiel talks of a new mind, new heart and a new spirit that God wants to put in each of us. This occurs at the very instant one makes the decision to receive Christ and to follow Him. Sometimes we engage in a process of learning and change, as Holy Spirit leads us and teaches us in the ways of God. Paul alludes to this in 1 Corinthians when he says “the preaching of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness but to those of us who are being saved it the power of God.” Theologians call this process ‘sanctification’. It is a “coming out” from the world and it’s ways and separating oneself unto God. We can only experience this kind of transformation when we dedicate ourselves to spend time in the atmosphere of God’s presence on a regular basis.

When one is “in Christ” there is a supernatural element called grace that allows us to put away things that once were a part of our nature before being “saved” and actually enables us to stop behaviors that were impossible to stop prior to our born again experience. As well we become empowered by grace to do things we never could have done before therefore enjoying a completely new quality of life. The key to this process is that it involves seeing and thinking with a renewed mind. We actually can start thinking from the realm of God’s kingdom instead of from the ways of worldly teaching and knowledge. Romans 12 speaks of a transformed mind and 1 Cor. 2 refers to the ‘mind of Christ’. The idea here is that when our thoughts are generated from the Spirit of God we position ourselves to see and react to things with a kingdom of God perspective that releases faith into our circumstances and provokes Godly change. Now that’s good news!   

PRAYER: “Father, I come to you in Jesus’ name, and I put the old man of the this world and of the flesh behind me. I seek the renewal and transformation of my mind, will and emotions as You change me into the fullness of Your purpose for creating me. As I seek you in prayer and through reading Your word I ask that You renew me and teach me from Your perspective so that I can walk in the completeness of Your love, will and the grace of Your power for my life in order to be a blessing to those around me. Amen.” 

VERSE FOR FEARLESS LIVING!  ~  Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.