ON WITH THE NEW

Scripture for the day: Ephesians 4:22-24 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 put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Thought for the day: So, where are we this morning? Yesterday we spoke a bit about putting off the old man (V. 22). The old, that which would hold us back or keep us enslaved, must be cast aside like an old garment. Our “old man” was “crucified with Him” (Rom. 6:6). “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). “Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17).

We’ve become new creatures in Christ. Paul said we must reckon ourselves dead to that old life and allow the presence of the Holy Spirit to renew our spirit every day (V.23). Now, this renewal is a continuous and progressive action. Romans 12:2 reminds us that we are to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Moving from sinner to saint happens in a moment of time; maturity and Christlikeness happen over a lifetime.

When the Romans decided to adopt a child, no matter that child’s age, there was a public acknowledgement of the new relationship. The man would take the child to the Praetorium, or some other public gathering place. The child would stand up on a pedestal while his new father read the proclamation of adoption. This proclamation included the assurance that this adopted child would be treated exactly as if he or she had been born into the family. Finally, as a final act of association, the father would gently remove the old tunic the child wore and dress him or her in a brand new robe, one that was adorned with the symbols of the family of which he was now an integral part.

That’s all very interesting, but what does it mean to you and me as we get ready to face the day? There are, in my not always so humble opinion, three things we need to take from this passage of scripture.

First, God values you even more than you do. Luke 12:24 says, “Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse or bard; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?” God wants you to be free from whatever controls you – even more than you do.

This reminds me that, second, your past need not control your future. Paul told the Philippians, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14). As Pumba, the warthog, said in the Lion King, “It’s time to put your behind in the past.” Seriously, it’s time to put the past where it belongs; in the past. As one wise sage wrote: “We need to quit dragging the past along with us and start pressing forward. We can imagine countless excuses for being overweight (or for holding on to any other bad habit); someone put a curse on my grandmother. People made fun of my as a child. We were poor when I grew up so I got into the habit of eating everything put before me. The excuses are endless – but they’re still excuses.

Third, you can make the determination to overcome whatever is holding you back. Listen and eternalize this: “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” It was true for Abraham, true for Moses, true for David, every one of the disciples, Paul, and every overcoming Christian in history. “Set aside the sin that so easily ensnares you.” Do it now! (Ecc. 11:4)

I know that success isn’t all about a positive attitude or dependent on how hard we work. But our determination will play a role in the whole process if we decide that, no matter how often we might fall, we will never cash in, give up or turn back. God is doing something good in your life and His greatest goal is to complete His work in you. As Paul said, “Do not become weary in well-doing, for in due time you will reap a harvest…” (Gal. 6:2)

Here’s a helpful hint for you. Ask yourself right now, “What is it that’s holding me back from becoming all He would make of me?” Hold that thing up before God. Give it to Him as an offering. Now, ask yourself, “Which do I love more, this thing or the Savior who saved me?

Now go take on your world. - Bill