Wednesday, December 28, 2016

PUT OFF THE OLD AND BE MADE NEW IN THE NEW YEAR

Proclamation:
“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.”  Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)

Explanation:
In his letter to the believers in Ephesus, the Apostle Paul issued a call for them to be holy.  Paul wrote these words under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  This letter basically contained instructions for Christian living. (Ephesians 4:25-32) 

Application:
As the year 2016 draws to a close and the dawn of the New Year, 2017, approaches, many people will make “New Year’s resolutions.”  Most of these resolutions will be forgotten before the first week of January is completed.  Let us make a promise to ourselves to begin each day with prayer and renew our commitment to The Lord as we begin each new day.  Let us renew our commitment to Christ and renew our mind by reading and studying His word each day.  Thereby we will grow a little each day in the knowledge of God and His Holy Word.  Let us tell the truth and quit trying to make ourselves look better to the world by lying.  If and when we fall back into sin, let us not stay down and give up.  Let us ask The Lord to forgive us, to help us up, to clean us off, and to put us back on the right path.  Let us be slow to anger and quick to forgive.  Let's not hold grudges against those who have wronged us.  Holding on to anger can make us bitter, not better.  Let it go and let God take care of them.  Let us pray daily that we won’t give the devil the opportunity to use us to cause someone else to sin.  Let’s pray that God will use us to help someone each day.  With God’s help we can put off our old self and put on a new self, and He will make us new in the New Year.


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