Today’s Bible reading is Ephesians chapter 4
(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)
Jesus did not come to improve the old man, He came to make us new. Being made new means transformation. Our lives are transformed through the renewing of our minds with the truth of God’s Word. Paul said, “and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 423-24) Putting on the new man involves putting off the old and replacing it with the positive. For every bad thing that comes out of your life, God has something good to go back in its place. God will not leave you empty. Instead of lies we tell the truth. Instead of sinful outbursts of anger, we resolve our frustrations before the sun sets. We do not give the devil a place in our lives by lying, or being angry, or stealing, or critical, negative speech. When we do those things we grieve God’s Holy Spirit. Paul said, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32) Put off the old way of life and be renewed by the transforming power of God. For every wicked thing that comes out of your life, God will replace it with something good and wholesome. That’s not an improvement, that is a new person!
Prayer: “Dear Father, thank You for the new person we are in Christ, help us to put on the new man and put off the old. May our lives resemble Christ. In Jesus name. Amen.”
Randy J. McPheron
T.H.E.M. 