Consider Todd, he is a great guy, well liked, is active in church, he doesn’t swear, steal, get drunk and is faithful to his wife. BUT, if you get to know him a bit better, you realize that he is often irritable, often complains, there is little joy in his life. Deep down he knows he shouldn’t be like that but seems powerless to do anything about it.
Consider Anette, she is a good mom, treats her husband decently, is a volunteer with a couple good organizations, even teaches Sunday School BUT when you get to know her better, you realize that she gossips, struggles with bitterness and unforgiveness.
Consider Devon and Dianne who seem like a great couple! They are well known, they give give their time and tithe to the church, he leads a Bible Study and is well-studied in the Scriptures. But relationally, he struggles. He has a past history of broken relationships with people. So, with his wife, he often has angry outbursts, spends little time with her and is impatient and sometimes harsh when he speaks to her. Her response is to withdraw, retaliate and build up resentment.
Many Believers continue to struggle with sin and live according to their old nature….Why is that?
Nils Holmgren, of Emmanuel Bible Church, speaking on this topic had this to say:
Verse 23 “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.”
People in our society live from a different mindset and how we live flows from how we think. Our whole way of thinking shapes our behavior. Before we come to Jesus, our whole way of thinking is distorted, it’s empty, it’s superficial. It’s controlled by desires that are not from God- deceitful desires, extreme desires. Things like career, money, sex, relationships, sports, anything that people live for, things that excite them that shape how they live and think. People like to have all these aspects as part of their lives, eating well, dressing well, having a nice home, holidays. These are some of the desires that shape our world.
None of these things are bad things on their own when but when they become ultimate things, they distract us from what ultimately matters-God, sin, forgiveness, heaven and hell.
“Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” Verse 20
When we come to Jesus, we are breaking from that whole way of life that is in opposition to who Jesus is. Paul gives us instruction SO THAT we would wake up to understanding how to live life IN Jesus.
We can’t drift into Christianity, We can’t add Christianity to our old life. We have to BREAK FROM our old life completely, the only way that change ever begins. God calls us to make a radical change from our old life.
“How do you break from the old life?”
Change is not about pulling up your socks, trying harder, making a resolution or reading self-help books and following the steps. Change happens as we deliberately live out our change in identity- the new identity that God has given us.
The only place change can flow from is a mind that is being changed.
When we try to live for Christ through self-effort, that is self-righteousness which is not acceptable to God.
“What kind of a mind change is Paul talking about here?”
Ephesians 4:22-24 “throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy”
Nils Holmgren says it like this. we need to learn Christ NOT learn about Christ. It’s about Jesus coming into your life and taking over completely, your thinking, your attitudes, your worldview, your outlook, everything. As we LEARN Christ, we become like He is. He becomes our new identity. It’s about a relationship that is all consuming that literally takes over who you are. You no longer see yourself apart from Jesus. If change is going to happen, its not about a list of things ‘to do’ and trying your best to do them. It starts by seeing ourselves as a completely new person with a completely new identity, no longer in any way separated from Jesus but united to Him in the most profound way so that we become like Him.
As Christians, we often want to add the new heart to our old heart so that we can hang on to the old life and hope the new life will improve the old life. God knows that our lives will never change as long as the old heart is still there. We need a brand new heart.
Christianity is not a change of lifestyle- Its a change of life”
How does the new life take hold?
Nils Holmgren explains it this way.
- You have to believe it and your mindset has to change.
- See yourself as God sees you- as someone united to Jesus.
- See yourself as created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
- Realize this is not playacting, it’s about living out who you truly are in Christ.
That is our daily struggle when we drift back into our old ways-we have to remind ourselves to see ourselves as God sees us. If that is going to happen, we MUST make sure we are being fed by Gods’ truth. No change will happen if we are not regularly immersed in God’s word.
What does the new life look like in practical terms? How would you know if it has happened?
Ephesians 4:25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own,b]”>[b] guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
- Change begins by radically breaking from your old life. V17-19
- Change involves deliberately living out your new identity. V 20-24
- Change demands lovingly relating to your new family. V 25-32
- There will be truthfulness instead of lies
- Self control instead of sinful anger
- Resolving anger/conflict quickly, same day is best when possible
- We work hard and honestly- instead of stealing time or material inventory. We give generously to those in need. V 28
- Our words build up others instead of tear down. V 29,30
- We show kindness instead of bitterness. Our language changes; we rid ourselves of all evil behavior V 31, 32
How is your personal change going? Are you tired of mediocrity?”
Holmgren asks- Are you tired of taking 3 steps back and 2 steps forward? Don’t despair! Remember who you are. If you have made Jesus Lord of your life, you are created to be like God in righteousness and holiness. Believe that and fill your mind with the truth of that. God is not finished with you yet…so continue to begin each day with God’s Word. Give Him worship, read His Word and listen for His still small voice. This prepares us for the day – for putting off the old self and putting on the new self. Repeat each day till you see Jesus face to face.
Ephesians 1:17-20 New International Reader’s Version
Let the words of my mouth be pleasing to you, be pleasing to you, the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you. ..Oh Lord my strength, my Redeemer…
“Let the Words of my mouth”
sung by Fernando Ortega.