Devotionals

New Creations

by Jennifer Woodley 
09/06/23
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“You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self,” Ephesians 4:22-24 (NRSV)

 Spiritual formation requires intention. In agreement with the work done by the Spirit, we do our part as the Spirit does His. We are new creations in Christ and our daily decisions ought to reflect this.

 To be formed into Christ, we must determine to imitate Him. Believers seek to put away, or leave behind our former selfish and sinful lifestyle (Ephesians 4:22). We say no to ungodly practices and behaviours that corrupt our lives, and draw us away from an intimate relationship with Jesus. We desire to live as children of light doing all that is good and right and true (Ephesians 5:9).

 To be formed into the image of Christ ,we are to be renewed in the spirit of our minds, (Ephesians 4:23) choosing to think upon whatever is true, honourable, just, pure, pleasing commendable and excellent (Philippians 4:8). We have nothing to do with foolish arguments, gossip and anger, but with humility, gentleness and gratitude, think with the mind of Christ.

 Finally, to be formed into the image of Christ, we are to clothe ourselves with the new self, (Ephesians 4:24), being dressed not with anger, judgement, malice or slander, but instead with garments of kindness, compassion, joy, thankfulness, patience and love.

 In Christ, we are a new creation – recreated to be like the image of the One who created us! Put away...Be renewed...Put on... This is the work we do in unison with the Holy Spirit.