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Thoughts on Today’s Verse…
God makes us new when we become disciples of Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). Most of us, however, have moments when the old way of life erupts, makes its presence known, and tries to drag us back into the old way of living. So, being new is a lifetime decision we must make each day, offering ourselves to God, putting off our old self, and inviting the Holy Spirit to renew us (Romans 12:1-2). Throughout Ephesians, Paul talks about the Holy Spirit’s power working in us (Ephesians 1:17-20, 3:14-21, 5:15-21). As we commit daily to following the Lordship of Jesus, the Holy Spirit empowers and matures us to be more and more like him (Ephesians 4:12-16; 2 Corinthians 3:18). The newness of our life in Jesus never has to become old or stale!
My Prayer…
Almighty God and dear Heavenly Father, please bless me today as I seek to live as a new person — cleansed, made holy, and empowered by your Spirit. Give me a new and clean mind as I intentionally put aside my old habits and desires to pursue Jesus. In his name, and based on his authority, I pray. Amen.
Bible References
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Ephesians 4:22-23
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; to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
At the time we accepted Christ as Savior the Holy Spirit of God took up residence in our hearts and therefore our lives. The former way of sinful practices and self-centered thinking are now to be dead to us after being nailed to the cross of Christ. This however does not mean that it comes naturally. We must make a choice to put off those ways of living and thinking and let the power of the Holy Spirit transform our minds to God’s way of living and the attitudes that He desires us to have which are exemplified through the Word of God.
Another verse that goes right along with this verse is:
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
This verse in 2 Corinthians is one of my favorite verses for it speaks of my position before God through Jesus Christ. When one is born again through faith in the blood of Christ for the forgiveness of sins, we go from being outside of Christ, to being IN Christ. When God looks at us He sees us through the veil of His Son’s blood and we are clean before Him (Hebrews 9:11-28, Romans 5:8-11).
This verse is not suggesting that after our conversion we no longer sin. In 1John 1:8-10 God’s Word clearly states that if we say we do not sin we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
However, after salvation has occurred we are new creatures. Now when we sin the convicting power of the indwelling Holy Spirit is there prompting us to confess our sin to God and purpose in our hearts to live lives that are in obedience to Him.
We do not have license to sin just because our sins are forgiven. To the contrary, when one has become born again we love God and our desire is now to please God by living our life for Him because we are fully aware of His love for us and all that He has accomplished on our behalf before God!
Thank You Jesus for coming to this earth and paying my sin debt to God with the only payment that He will accept, Your own precious bloodshed for my sin. I thank You for making me a new creation and for Your redemptive work on the cross at Calvary. I love You so the Author and Finisher of my faith and give You all glory, honor, and praise this day, Amen!