Goodbye old, Hello New

 

Goodbye old, Hello New
Key verse: Ephesians 4:22-24

 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; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

There is no greater freedom in all the earth than having all our sins forgiven and being at peace with God. As forgiven, cleansed and renewed, it is important to leave the past and the former you to move forward.

HOW TO LEAVE OUR PAST BEHIND?

1. PUT OFF YOUR OLD SELF (Eph. 4:22)

 Put off the old person which accords with the former way of life and which is corrupted in accord with the desires of deceit. The old self we are told to put off is the person we were prior to coming to Christ. That set of clothes is moth-eaten, threadbare, and dirty. They are comfortable and familiar. But they need to go. God has provided us with a new wardrobe. Just strip off the old and put on what he has provided for us. It may be uncomfortable at first. But you will grow to love it. We are called to crucify the passions of the flesh. We are called to crucify the priorities and futile mindset of this present fleshy and rebellious world. We are called to embrace the death of Christ. We are called to take up the cross of Christ each day. We are called to kill our old way of living, our old loves, and our old priorities; we are called to kill sin stone dead. This is what it means to put off our old self.

Now, decide to undress and get rid of the old lifestyle.

Live in truth not inhabit and not in sin!

2. PUT ON THE NEW SELF (Eph. 4:23-24)

We put on the new self which means that we pursue righteousness and holiness, the very qualities which characterize God. This means that, as we receive the gospel truth, we are astonished and captivated by the glory of Jesus to such a degree that we seek to be like him. We put on those qualities which he displayed. We do the things that he did and does. We shun the things that he would not do. We put on the likeness of God.

We need to get into God's Word and let God's thoughts replace our thoughts. Christ demands our worship, love, and obedience. 

Every day, let us renew the mind through His Word. Let us soak in His Word and His Presence!

Now, if you really want to be able to move forward, decide to leave your past behind by putting off your old self and putting on the new self.

Because when our mind is filled with the love of Christ and with all the fullness of God, then the spirit of our mind is renewed and freed from the deceit of the world. And out of that renewed mind come new attitudes and emotions and practices, and they clothe us with righteousness and holiness. And this new person that we become is indeed the creation of God himself, and to Him belongs all the glory forever and ever. Amen.