Putting Off
(Ephesians 4:22)
What would you do if a person covered in filth and emitting a foul odor came into your house and tried to sit at the dining table? You would likely guide them to put off their dirty clothes and take a bath first, wouldn’t you? No one would bring perfume to spray on a filthy body to get rid of the stench.
1. According to the Deceitful Lusts
The old self should have been discarded the moment we believed in Jesus. Previously, the old self claimed our entire identity and dragged us as it liked. The old self led us away from the truth and always chose the path of deceit driven by lust. At that time, whenever our lusts were simulated, we were easily deceived. Despite repeatedly failing and experiencing disappointment, we still followed our lusts and failed to see the reality.
2. Your Former Conduct, Which Grows Corrupt
Just because we have been broken off from sin and received new life through Christ, it does not mean that the corrupt state of our old self has disappeared. The first thing we must do, now that we have received new life and are serving the Lord, is to resolve to put off the practices of the old self. Without this resolution, anyone who begins their faith life may try to understand God through the ways of the old self, ultimately failing to hear from Christ and be taught by Him.
3. The Old Self
If we have truly understood the grace of Christ, we cannot help but feel deeply moved by His sacrifice and resolve, “I will put off the old self.” If we now realize that we have not yet taken the first step that the Gospel requires, then let us decide today to put off the old self. Only then can we put on the new man that God gives. Let us consider today as the day we first received the Gospel and boldly abandon the old self. Let the work of our Lord, who has called and taught us, be successful in us.
August 4, 2024
Overseer Sung-Hyun Kim
