I'm finishing up some of my last notes about Ephesians 4 today and couldn't get over the word picture that Paul painted in my mind. He took such care to contrast the old life he wanted believers to leave behind with the new life he wants Christians to put on. Old and new, endings and beginnings, past and present, are all available in our closet so to speak.
Every day when I wake up, I put on physical clothing. You know--take off the pajamas and robe and slippers and get into the exercise clothing or the work clothing, depending on the schedule. And Paul says I'm not finished there. I need to take off old ways and put on the new. I started to make a list of specifics to remove and put on when it suddenly occurred to me--this undressing and re-dressing takes place in my mind. Look at what Paul says needs to come off:
Now that we're unclothed, so to speak, let's get dressed:
So if we're holding onto any lies about God or ourselves which don't align with the previous three chapters of Ephesians, dump them. If we for one minute entertain the notion that God doesn't see or love us-- that we aren't chosen, take it off--it doesn't fit! If we think that this time we've really messed up God's plan, girlfriends, get that thought out of your head and by all means, put it in the trash can! Put on the truth, rehearse God's love toward you and His promises IN YOUR MIND. Verbalize them--every day as you're dressing. Because this thinking stuff--it's hard work. But now that we know where to begin, we can get dressed for our day. Thanking God today for His power at work in you and me- Jan
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AuthorLoving words written to increase hope. Archives
May 2020
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