As you and I shop in the grocery stores - every aisle usually has some products that have a new label on them; they’ve changed the packaging look and design and somewhere on there it says: New and Improved! — what was before - was ‘less than’ what is NOW in this product. It’s changed - It’s improved - It’s better than what it was…

in the last part of this chapter 4 - Paul is going to take us to see that what Christ has accomplished, what he’s done and what He IS doing within us who have trusted in him - is way better!! His power active within us, makes us NEW and IMPROVED!

last week: Paul is explaining what he had called us to do in verses 14, 15, and 16, and that is to grow up into the likeness of Christ, to grow up into his character.

Now starting in verse 17, what’s happening is Paul is explaining how we can go about growing into that. So he’s being very specific. What we actually have in verses 17–24 is a remarkably detailed explanation by Paul then on how to change.

Christ sees his people as redeemed (once and for all; one time decision = salvation). The other verb, “to be renewed,” describes a continuous activity (sanctification). The “self” has been exchanged, but the process of renewal, of becoming like Christ, is a continual daily process.

However holy or Christlike a Christian may become, he (she) is still in the condition of “being changed.” ~John Stott

This changing - (sanctification) is a continual process this side of Heaven.
Christ has CHANGED OUR condition and position; God is continually changing our character and behavior so we grow up in Christ - to live and respond more and more like He would.

PUT OFF & PUT ON

Paul says: there are actually two parts with a bridge. How do you change? You notice what Paul says is there are two things that happen. There’s putting off and there’s putting on. But in the middle, between the putting off and the putting on, you have this bridge…

Ephesians 4:22-24
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Some of this practice is on us to do - some of change process is on God to do…
You and I are to do what we can do. (v. 22 & 24)
Let God do what only he can do! (v 23)

Examples in Eph. 4:25-32
PUT OFF the old ways (ways of the world)
PUT ON the new ways of Jesus

Put off falsehood; Put on honesty, truthfulness
Put off anger; Put on gentleness
Put off stealing; Put on an honest work ethic
Put off unwholesome talk; Put on building others up w/ your speech
Put off bitterness and rage; Put on kindness and compassion

Q) Does your life reflect this spiritual contrast? (Are their places in your heart that God is wanting to do some work, healing, transformational work within you?

Are there evidences of contrasts in your thinking, your desires, your will, and your behavior - this year, from where you were 2 years ago?
What does it look like for YOU to cooperate with the work Jesus is doing within you? To PUT OFF and PUT ON?…
How might he be wanting you to be more active?
How can you ask Him to do that regenerating work of your mind…?


There’s help for us as we engage in the Powerful Practice of REPENTANCE consistently.
== Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Have a blessed week everyone. We're right back here next Sunday at 5pm. on-site or online. We love you friends.