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October 16 That, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Ephesians 4:22-24. We are clearly a work in progress. Paul is urging us to lay aside our old ways that were inherited in Adam. In God’s providence our old nature was crucified at the cross—it is beyond repair or improvement. As we dedicate our lives as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1,2) we allow our mind to change and become the mind of Christ. That new mind is in the new creation that we become. The old is done away and the new begins. It becomes a matter of the choices we make. We can deliberately choose to trust in self, or we can deliberately choose to submit to the Lord. It seems that we need to learn this over and over, although I often wonder why we are so slow to catch on. I can only grieve over choices that came from my trust in self, but I am thrilled over choices that allowed me to follow Him. Lord, help me remember how You have come to my rescue—over and over. Can you think of yourselves, in this earthly vessel, as showing the righteousness and holiness of the truth? God’s grace is beyond our comprehension; that He would chose to live His life in us. We cannot analyze such great love. Contemplating this only makes me love Him even more, and how can I do anything but walk with Him, side by side. Father, we praise and glorify Your name. We can only submit and honor You, for to do anything else would deny what You have done for us. Actually, in some way we do not fully comprehend, You have done all of this for Yourself as well. For You desire our fellowship and companionship. We walk together as friends, forever. Amen. |
