“But you have
not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by
Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former
conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and
be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which
was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”
(Ephesians 4:20-24 NKJ)
not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by
Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former
conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and
be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which
was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”
(Ephesians 4:20-24 NKJ)
I am amused each
time I go with Bobbie (my wife) to buy “a new outfit.” First, there
is the interminable walking around the store looking for a desirable dress.
Several dresses are chosen to compare
and “try on.” Then there is the exhaustive waiting at the
“fitting” rooms while the comparison takes place. (And she wonders
why I don’t want to go! LOL)
time I go with Bobbie (my wife) to buy “a new outfit.” First, there
is the interminable walking around the store looking for a desirable dress.
Several dresses are chosen to compare
and “try on.” Then there is the exhaustive waiting at the
“fitting” rooms while the comparison takes place. (And she wonders
why I don’t want to go! LOL)
She begins by
“putting off” the garments she wore into the store and “putting
on” one of her choices. This gives her the opportunity to see whether she
likes the “new” dress. It amazes me that, despite my compliments and
likes about a dress, she will find something wrong with each choice until she
finds the one she likes. Of course, this is how it should be. She must like the
fit, the colors and the general look of the dress. She has to be happy because
she is the one who will wear the dress.
“putting off” the garments she wore into the store and “putting
on” one of her choices. This gives her the opportunity to see whether she
likes the “new” dress. It amazes me that, despite my compliments and
likes about a dress, she will find something wrong with each choice until she
finds the one she likes. Of course, this is how it should be. She must like the
fit, the colors and the general look of the dress. She has to be happy because
she is the one who will wear the dress.
Her discriminatory
survey started , however, back in the store when the search began. Some dresses
were the wrong size, the wrong colors, the wrong style and so on. With a
discerning eye, Bobbie knew that they were not for her. Not to be deterred,
however, she continued “looking” until she found choices that might
be something she would wear.
survey started , however, back in the store when the search began. Some dresses
were the wrong size, the wrong colors, the wrong style and so on. With a
discerning eye, Bobbie knew that they were not for her. Not to be deterred,
however, she continued “looking” until she found choices that might
be something she would wear.
I sometimes wonder
if post-modern Christianity isn’t somewhat like this female hunting program. We
want to choose for ourselves, rather than accept the Lord’s choice. We may even
make several excuses: it doesn’t fit us, it isn’t our color, it’s not our style,
and one size doesn’t fit all.
if post-modern Christianity isn’t somewhat like this female hunting program. We
want to choose for ourselves, rather than accept the Lord’s choice. We may even
make several excuses: it doesn’t fit us, it isn’t our color, it’s not our style,
and one size doesn’t fit all.
The thing many
people miss is the fitting room principle. When we go to Christ’s fitting room,
he removes our old outfit, which is corrupt and deceptive, and dresses us in a
new outfit designed by God in his righteousness and holiness. And his size does
fit us all.
people miss is the fitting room principle. When we go to Christ’s fitting room,
he removes our old outfit, which is corrupt and deceptive, and dresses us in a
new outfit designed by God in his righteousness and holiness. And his size does
fit us all.
Dear Father, thank
you for your holy and righteous garments. Empower us to put off the old and put
on the new. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for your holy and righteous garments. Empower us to put off the old and put
on the new. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Put on Christ today,