Putting on the New Self: A Journey of Transformation

 Ephesians 4:17-32

In our walk with Christ, we are called to a profound transformation - one that requires us to shed our old selves and embrace a new identity rooted in God's love and grace. This journey of renewal is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process that challenges us to align our thoughts, words, and actions with the character of Jesus.

Imagine a child coming home after playing football in the mud all day. Their mother meets them at the door, instructing them to remove their dirty clothes before entering the house. This simple act of taking off soiled garments and putting on clean ones serves as a powerful metaphor for our spiritual lives.

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, uses this imagery to illustrate the transformation that should occur in the life of every believer. He urges us to "put off your old self" and "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22, 24).

But what exactly does this mean for us in practical terms?

First, we must recognize what we need to put off. Paul describes the old self as being corrupted by deceitful desires, characterized by ignorance, insensitivity to God, and a darkened understanding. This old nature is marked by behaviors such as lying, uncontrolled anger, theft, corrupt speech, and bitterness. It's a life dominated by selfishness and sin.

However, the good news is that in Christ, we have been given a new identity. We are no longer slaves to our old ways of thinking and behaving. Just as Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation legally freed slaves during the Civil War, our salvation in Christ has set us free from the bondage of sin. Yet, like some freed slaves who continued to live as if they were still in bondage, we too can fall into the trap of living according to our old nature rather than embracing our new freedom in Christ.

So how do we put on this new self? Paul tells us it begins with the renewal of our minds. As we saturate our thoughts with the truth of God's Word and meditate on who we are in Christ, our thinking begins to change. This transformation of the mind then leads to a transformation of behavior.

Paul gives us several practical examples of this "put off, put on" principle:

1. Replace lying with speaking truth (v. 25)
2. Replace uncontrolled anger with righteous, controlled responses (v. 26-27)
3. Replace stealing with honest work and generosity (v. 28)
4. Replace corrupt speech with words that build others up (v. 29)
5. Replace bitterness and malice with kindness and forgiveness (v. 31-32)

These changes don't happen automatically or overnight. They require intentional effort on our part, coupled with the empowering work of the Holy Spirit. It's a daily choice to "dress" ourselves in the virtues of Christ.

Consider the popular book from 1975 titled "Dress for Success." Its main principle was simple: if you want to be successful, dress like your boss. For believers, our ultimate "boss" is Jesus Christ. To dress for spiritual success means to clothe ourselves with His character - His love, compassion, integrity, and holiness.

This process of putting on the new self is really about becoming more like Jesus. It's about allowing His life to be manifest in and through us. As we do this, we not only experience personal transformation but also become powerful witnesses to the world around us.

One of the most beautiful aspects of this new identity is the ability to forgive as we have been forgiven. When we truly grasp the magnitude of God's forgiveness towards us through Christ, it empowers us to extend that same grace to others. As Paul writes, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32).

It's important to note that this transformation is not about trying harder in our own strength. It's about surrendering to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We are sealed by the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), and it is through His power that we are able to put off the old and put on the new.

As we embark on this journey of renewal, we may face challenges. Old habits die hard, and the pull of our former way of life can be strong. But we are not alone in this struggle. We have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, the encouragement of fellow believers, and the promises of God's Word to sustain us.

Remember, just as a soldier puts on his armor piece by piece each day to prepare for battle, we too must daily clothe ourselves with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). This includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

In conclusion, the call to put off the old self and put on the new is at the heart of what it means to follow Christ. It's a lifelong process of becoming who we already are in Christ - new creations, set free from the power of sin, and empowered to live lives that reflect God's character and love to the world.

As we embrace this new identity and allow God's transforming work in our lives, we become living testimonies to the power of the gospel. Our changed lives speak volumes about the reality of God's love and the possibility of true transformation through Christ.

So today, let us choose to put off the old and put on the new. Let us renew our minds with God's truth, clothe ourselves with Christ's character, and walk in the newness of life that He has given us. As we do, we will find ourselves growing more and more into the image of our Savior, bringing glory to God and hope to a watching world.