Put off the Old First!

At the close of this mornings service, I felt led to read from Ephesians 4:20-24:  "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."  The emphasis of the passage is that to put on the new man, we first must put off the old man.  Following Christ is more than imitating Him outwardly:  it is a transformation that must take place in the heart by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In the classic movie "The Christmas Story," Ralphie is a boy who desires more than anything to have a genuine Red Ryder BB Gun.  There is a memorable scene where his little brother, Randy, is heavily wrapped in winter clothes before his walk to school.  His mom was so overzealous he was not even able to put his arms down, nor stand back up after he tumbled back into the snow.  The picture of Randy stiffly running and stumbling with his bulky clothes is a fitting picture of the old man.  There is no possible way for us to put on the new man when we are encumbered with the old.  We must lay aside all weights and the sin which easily besets us.  It is imperative we walk in the Spirit, our minds being renewed by God's Word.  Then, by God's grace, we can put on the new man which walks according to true righteousness and holiness.

From a human perspective, rocket science is WAY easier than this.  But from the spiritual vantage point we have in Christ, we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us and has given His life for us.  With men it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.  No amount of good intentions can transform a man's heart.  God delights to make us new in Him, sanctifying us into His image.  Let's do our part to put off our former conversation that we might walk in newness of life.  Romans 12:1-2 reads, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."