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PUTTING ON NEW CLOTHES FOR CHRIST

Ephesians 4:21-32
21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin"[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

A minister was making a wooden fence to keep his dogs in the yard. As he was pounding away, he noticed that a little boy was watching him. The youngster did not say a word, so the preacher kept on working, thinking the boy would leave. However, he did not. Pleased at the thought that his work was being admired, the minister said, “Well, son, trying to pick up some pointers on building a fence?” “No,” replied the boy, “I’m just waiting to hear what a preacher says when he hits his thumb with a hammer.”

The boy probably expected a different response from the minister, even in a painful situation, because he believed that the minister is a holy man. This story is a good illustration, not only for a minister, but also for every Christian. Non-believers and un-churched people are always expecting a response, attitude, or behavior from Christians that is different from the rest of the world.

Can the Christian life be distinguished from a non-Christian’s life? Yes, in today’s Scripture, Paul clearly says that the Christian life should stand out to the world differently not only in the church on Sunday mornings, but also in everyday life. Paul gives a concrete illustration with the expression, “clothe yourself with the new self.” After we become saved and we meet Christ, our behaviors, attitudes, lifestyles, and even character should change. Christ came to offer each person a new self, but he or she must desire Christ’s help to put off the old self. As a person takes off old, dirty clothes in exchange for something clean and new, so the believer can take off the old, filthy “self” and exchange it for the clean and pure “self” provided by Christ.

While unbelievers live in darkness and sin, believers are taught in Christ a completely new manner of living, which must leave behind the former way of life. The “old self” describes each person before he or she comes to know Christ. Like old clothes, we must shed our identification with our sinful past and live as new people. To “put off” that old self will take conscious, daily decisions to remove anything that supports or feeds the old self’s desires. The new self is the new relationship we have with Christ that gives us a new orientation to life. The new self is according to the likeness of God with the characteristics of the Holy Spirit and truth. When we have right relationship with God, it reflects in our behavior, and creates a desire to avoid sin, and prompts us to devote ourselves to his service.

Satan’s primary focus in our lives is to keep unsaved folk unsaved, and to keep saved folk distracted and in the same old clothes. How are you dressed today? AMEN!

Adapted By: Elder Michael L. Hargett
Copyright 2008 © MinTech, Inc.
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