Put On the New Self

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Put On the New Self

When Paul guided the Ephesian congregation  in their new Christian life,  he had to point out  how their old heathen life style  had to be gotten rid of.     The Gentiles were so accustomed  to living in the corruption  of “lusts”  and “deceit” that they thought nothing of their lies,  anger,  thievery,  dirty language,  bitterness,  spitefulness,  slander,  and the like.     It was hard for them  to change  their old life style.

So, Paul wrote  in Ephesians 4:20-24,

But you did not learn Christ  in this way,  if indeed  you have heard Him  and have been taught  in Him,  just as truth is  in Jesus,  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.

When we “learn Christ”  and see how His love is so good,  right,  and wonderful,  we want  to be like Him,  being  “renewed  in the spirit  of your mind”  and putting  “on the new self”.     All of God’s  “righteousness  and holiness”  shows  the “truth”  of the goodness  that comes  when we live  in the “truth”  that is in Jesus.

The “lusts of deceit”  do not give anyone true satisfaction,  peace,  and well-being.     Unbelievers try to fool themselves  into imagining that their slander,  hatefulness,  lies,  and unrighteousness  bring them pleasure,  but all that corruption brings nothing but misery.

God desires something better  for His children  —  and we find it  by learning Christ’s ways  and accepting His gift  of salvation.     Christ cleanses us  and makes us whole  when we live by faith  in Him.     Then we can  “put on the new self”.

Praising God  for His gift  of salvation,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     LORD,  thank You  for showing the beauty  of Your love  in Christ Jesus.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional  to glorify  the LORD of lords  and GOD of gods.

Pray for our country.

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… Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus …

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The LORD  made this day, let us rejoice  and be glad  in Him.

Psalm 118:24

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The word of the LORD is tried;

He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.

Psalm 18:30

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Sing for joy  in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming  to the upright.

Psalm 33:1

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How blessed are those  who dwell  in Thy house!

They are ever praising Thee.

Psalm 84:4

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Just as a father  has compassion  on his children,

So the LORD  has compassion  on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

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O give thanks  to the LORD,  for He is good;

For His lovingkindness  is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

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Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart  of those who seek the LORD  be glad.

Psalm 105:3

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Not that I have already obtained it,  or have already  become perfect,   but I press on  in order that  I may  lay hold  of that  for which also  I was laid hold of  by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12

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