Monday, June 4, 2007

Bits & Pieces: Personal Holiness (2)

"if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth," (Ephesians 4:21--24).

* Being renewed in the spirit of our mind is essential if we are to walk in holiness of the truth. And however trite the teaching may seem, there is still no substitute for meditation upon the Word of God for producing spiritual renewal of the mind. As our mind is renewed, our thoughts, perspective, and life-style will reflect personal holiness.

* In previous verses, Paul describes the lostness of men without Christ, and so exhorts the Ephesian believers to live distinctively by laying aside the old self, being renewed in their mind, and putting on the new self. Each aspect of this instruction begins with an act of the will, completely committed to the Lord Jesus Christ. Every decision we make through the course of our days has the potential for drawing us away from or closer to our Savior, and His holiness.

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