Move ahead – Live Christ
Since you have heard all about him and learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life … Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness – righteous, holy and true. Ephesians 4:21–24 (NLT 1996)
Imagine a hot summer’s day where you have been working in the dirt and dust. Your body is drenched in sweat, and grime seems to seep into every pore of your skin. To wash off the day’s filth, you take a refreshing shower.
Would you then put on your sweat drenched dirty clothes again?
If we are being honest, we often feel quite content with our lives. We convince ourselves that those bad habits and sins that we’ve grown accustomed to, which we believe are no worse than anyone else’s, don’t really matter.
However, Paul encourages us to let go of our old habits and adopt a new lifestyle that reflects our identity as followers of Christ.
This new identity influences every aspect of our lives and requires a change that is far more radical than just a wash and a clean set of clothes.
It’s a profound change from the inside out because the Christian life is less about our actions and more about who we are.
God has cleansed us with the blood of his Son, Jesus. Our sins and former way of life are buried with Christ. With Christ’s resurrection, we are raised to a new life.
Each of us now is a new person, created in God’s likeness, righteous, holy and true, free to live the life God always intended for his children. Why would we want to hold onto our old life of responding poorly and thinking negatively?
This commitment of renewing our hearts and minds to reflect God’s image is not a “once off” event. Daily we must intentionally adopt the lifestyle that Christ offers, choosing faith over doubt, love over anger and humility over pride.
To respond as God would and think as he thinks, requires spending time in God’s presence, nurturing a relationship with him, walking with the Holy Spirit and learning from God’s Word.
When we let God’s truth transform our hearts and minds, our lives will become a true reflection of his power, shining his light in a world that so desperately needs hope.
Prayer: We thank you, Father God that, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can experience a new life. Help us live this new life, reflecting the character of Jesus. Amen.
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