Ephesians 4.22-23 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off
your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be
made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self,
created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. – St. Paul
I think it’s imperative that we consider what we’ve been
taught when it comes to our life in Christ and our living with Him under His
rule and leadership. Also, I think it’s imperative we consider how we were taught and how often we review what we were taught
to make sure we are living effectively and appropriately under the Lordship of
Jesus Christ.
Paul makes mention to the Ephesians of, what, “You were taught…”. What is that, and
when did it happen; and did it stick? Is what they’d been taught still guiding
their lives in discipleship and wisdom? Or were they slipping back into old
thoughts and habits that were counter to the gloriousness of the gospel? Were
they teaching others what they’d been taught and was it working for them?
My belief is we must ask ourselves in this day: what were we taught, how were we taught, and
is it working; causing us to put off, and keep off, the old self, corrupted as
it is with its deceitful desires? Are we standing firm or are we slipping
and sliding, without traction, back into our old self? How are we made new in
the attitudes of our minds? How are we living with the mantle of the new self,
created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness? Is it working?
Discipleship is a lifelong measurable endeavor. Sunday
school is not just for Sundays; it is a daily commitment. A wise sage asked
this question: is the Bible making a
difference in the way you live on a daily basis? The further question then:
are we spending time thoughtfully and
prayerfully reading the Bible; seeking to live according to its teaching?
Spending time daily, with God, in the word, is imperative to the development
and nurture of the new self.
How are we facing the daily adversity of life on the planet?
We must make no mistake: though we are not of
the world, we are in the world, and
every moment here is an assault on our faith leading us home. That means we
must use every means necessary to ensure we are living in the new self that we
are created to be, in Him, so that we don’t lose ground in our daily contact
with the world.
And who do we spend our time with? Are we involved in the
lives of the saints or are we rubbing elbows with the ain’t’s? How were we
taught? What were we taught? And, is it working? Are there areas in which we
need to improve; how is our prayer life? Paul spoke to the Ephesians as if they
had been fully trained to live according to the new self and its place in their
lives. Are we?
If not, what is our plan? How are we regimenting our
lives with Paul’s words: You were taught…?
De we have a plan, and if so, is it working? If not, what is our corrective
action plan? It simply boils down to this: life
and death are in the balance. Without a plan for life, there is surely,
only death.
Father, I consider
my own experience of being taught about the new self. I know I am deficient and
apart from You I cannot live in or with the new self. Help me today to remember
who I am and why I am in You that I may live in the new self and help others to
do so as well. Amen
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