Put off the Old and Put on the New (Ephesians 4:17-24), The Process of Christian Growth ...

Good morning, my brothers and sisters in Christ.

The New Creation: Ephesians 4:17-24
This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as [a]the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Paul discusses the process of Christian growth and how it is our free will commitment to walk in righteousness and holiness (v. 24). Paul goes on to say that a child of light can no longer act as a child of darkness. Paul informs us that a change of lifestyle is possible because of Christ, the original new man (v. 24). Paul writes that Christ must be learned (v. 20) and that a relationship with Him is to be renewed (v. 23), and this is a process that is implying an intimate relationship with our Creator. Paul goes on to say that Christ must be put on (v. 24), and this is a simple clothing metaphor and allusion to baptism and the baptismal robe. Paul makes it clear that grace makes a man heavenly and that righteousness is both a gift and a goal, and this goal gives us a present reality and a promise to strive for.

In Christ, love Jared W. Campbell

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