Ephesians 4:20-24
“But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.”
“But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”
So how in the world do we,” Get rid of it?” This is impossible for me alone. Only God knows, among the thousands of options, which path is mine. And only he can get me there. Traveling with him is how I learn to be, “in Christ,” fully alive and fully participating in his body, the Church. Paul, in his eagerness to make a point, makes this seem like it should happen all at once. But this surgery been far less invasive in my life, removing one thing at a time and replacing it with the Lord himself. There is pain as in any surgery. But each time I recover from the procedure, I find life more exciting with wider vistas. I have found my pearl of great price, and I would not trade it for anything.
Lord, you amaze me! You are so big and wonderful. I could gaze at you forever. Thank you for taking such trouble to straighten out and transform your servant. Show me how to share this wonder of wonders with others. Help me be faithful in this, for your glory.