… put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Summary: Why does it feel like “putting on” this “new self” is a lot of work? The answer, like so many things in life, depends on how you look at it. Looked at correctly, we are not doing any work at all. Instead we are honoring our King, Jesus.
Even though it has been twenty centuries since Paul wrote his letter, his words seem fresh and relevant today. Paul’s words touch us where we live. Except for changes in technology, people are the same as they were two thousand years ago. We have the same weaknesses and needs.
One of those needs is to realize that life on our own, without God, doesn’t work. Self-medicating the emotional consequences of our past mistakes with drugs and alcohol doesn’t fix the problem. At some point, if we are honest with ourselves, we realize that our biggest problem is the person looking back at us in the mirror. We are the ones who have to change. But how?
Paul tells us that God can change our attitude. (Ephesians 4:23, Romans 12:2) Not simply change our opinions about something, but change how our mind functions. Instead of operating out of fear and greed, God can change us so that we are loving and obedient to his will.
Now, you might well ask, “If God is changing me, why do I have to do all the work?”
In the first place, this “work” would not be possible if God himself had not come to us as a man named Jesus and died on the cross for our sins. So next time you think about “all the work,” don’t forget to add that bit of work into the equation.
Second, what seems like work is really just responding to Jesus when he says, “follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)
In the story of the ungrateful servant (Matthew 18: 21-35), a man is brought before the king to settle accounts. Somehow, this guy (a servant of the king) had racked up a debt of ten thousand bags of gold! To put that into perspective, let’s assume each bag weighs five pounds. Five pounds equals eighty ounces, and assuming a market value of $2,000 per ounce, each bag is worth $160,000.
Each. Bag.
Now, multiply that by ten thousand bags, and you end up with 1.6 billion dollars! This man is in some serious debt!
Since the servant cannot pay the king back, he begs the king for patience and more time. The king, in a display of amazing generosity, cancels the entire 1.6 billion dollar debt and sends the man on his way.
The punishment for fraud is imprisonment and torture, but instead, the king forgives him, and the man goes free. The man now has a choice. What is he going to do with his newfound freedom? Should he continue with the ways that got him into trouble in the first place, or should he consider being more like the king who just forgave his unbelievable debt?
To put this into the context of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, the man can continue to live as he did before, as his “old self” that got him into debt, or he can take advantage of his new lease on life and put on a “new self” that honors his king and his generous gift.
Do you see how that works?
Our King, Jesus, forgives us all our debts (1 John 1:9). Paul is explaining how we can honor our King by making better choices. God is speaking to us through Paul’s writings. The Holy Spirit also speaks to us directly. Both Paul and the Holy Spirit work together to guide us into making better decisions that honor our King.
That’s what it means to put on your new self.
Application: Honor the King!
Food for Thought: How should we look at the concept of righteousness? Is it a way of impressing God or a way of honoring God? What is the difference?
How should we look at the concept of righteousness?
Righteousness is not something we can achieve by our works. I believe this is because our works are always transactional (self-centered). True service is unconditional (Christ-centered).
Luke 6:33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.
Righteousness is out of this world (a little pun there). Seriously, righteousness comes from the grace Jesus gives us, He is not of this world. What this world has to offer brings death; Jesus brings life.
Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.
2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Righteousness comes from submission to God’s Will. It is born in our hearts and initiated in us by God. Everything done is by His leading, He will let us know what brings us closer to Him, and to His righteousness.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Is it a way of impressing God or a way of honoring God? What is the difference?
Righteousness that comes from God honors God, it comes from submitting our lives to His Will. Just as when I ask my sons to follow a path (in love) that is good, and they do, they honor me. It bring us closer. The same is true of our relationship with our Father. He gives us His righteousness, not as a status, but as a living connection between us. To be righteous in the eyes of God is to be connected with Him.
Trying to impress God (believe me, I have been there) does not work. It is an empty gesture, and is self-centered.
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
1 Corinthians 13:3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Thank you, Chris!
Well said!
07-14-2023,
1. HOW SHOULD I LOOK AT THE CONCEPT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS?
God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
Righteousness means God’s approval or being considered right in His eyes. When God sees me, He approves of me because, BEING INCAPABLE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, I have chosen to accept His righteousness, through Christ, and am now justified in His sight.
2. IS IT A WAY OF IMPRESSING GOD OR A WAY OR HONORING GOD?
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. Romans 3:10
We HONOR GOD when we humble ourselves, receive His righteousness
3.) WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
Trying to impress God is an act motivated by thinking we in our own power can do something we think will impress our creator, while honoring God is living in submission knowing all righteous actions are by His power, not ours.
We can never impress God, we can only honor God by our submission to His will
Thank you, Ron!
We are on the same track. 🙂