May 17, 2015
Ephesians 4:22-24
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
The Sixth Day Exercise
Somewhere along the way, the Gospel got reduced down to a decision or a transaction. Somehow, making a “decision” to follow Jesus seemingly became more important than actually following him.
The deciding is important, but following Jesus is not a decision. It is a lifelong relationship. It means the exchange of an old life for a new life; an old self for a new self. It’s all about this exchange.
See it at work in today’s text. Dwell on these words.
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
In a single (admittedly long) sentence, Paul captures the essence of the second half of the Gospel.
It’s another way of coming at the Six Day Exercise. Things that matter get measured. It’s just too easy to take a passage like this one today and allow it to become a good intention or worse, a sentiment. Are you ready to get on with the second half of the Gospel? I thought so.
ENGAGE THE SIXTH DAY EXERCISE HERE.
P.S. Beginning a week from Monday we will begin the summer Daily Text series through the Gospel of Mark. And for those of you who like a bigger map, we will roll through 1 Corinthians from September through November. Consider inviting family and friends to join us. More on that to come.
J.D. Walt writes daily for Seedbed’s Daily Text. He serves as Seedbed’s Sower in Chief. Follow him @jdwalt on Twitter or email him at jd.walt@seedbed.com. Get the Daily Text delivered to your inbox fresh every morning. Subscribe HERE.