Week of November 2nd
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In memory of Charlie Kirk, a pioneer of our time to a voice in the wilderness, the one who battled Goliaths daily and boldly walked into the lion’s dens. If you feel led to support his family, you can find the website here: Turning Point USA. (I have no affiliation with this organization; this is just a heartfelt way to help spread love and support towards their family.)
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
The Former Conversation- The Old Man
Before an individual accepts the Salvation through Jesus Christ, they are unlearned of the ways of God. God truly is a mystery at times; we cannot explain how He does things, but it’s amazing when one is able to witness what I like to call God-incidences, a play on coincidences.
A person has the opportunity to experience a life without God when they are born into this world. We have a calling within us that we know something bigger than ourselves does exist, and then begins our journey to seek out God, our heavenly Father.
When we find God through Jesus Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit, we are no longer conformed to this world, but we are then set apart and become new creatures through Christ. Our old way of life is now transformed by the guidance of the Holy Spirit to convict us of right and wrong.
Therefore, ‘The Old Man’, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, is now renewed through our spirit and mind. You are then made into a new creature who thinks and behaves in a different manner than previously.
Put On The New Man
Leaving behind all the things you once did or believed and now aligning with those things of God. You are then become a new creature, you speak differently, dress differently, you are created in righteousness and true holiness through Christ.
This is not an instant change; it’s more like setting a firm foundation over time. Becoming more aware of the things you once believed, and now the Holy Spirit guides you to walk in the path of righteousness. Praying, studying God’s Word, and worshiping through song or in the company of other believers are all ways a Christian becomes renewed over time. The foundation for a newborn Christian is critical. To become a walking testimony, we should align our everyday decisions with God.
Some Examples Of A New Man
The Scripture continues to the end of that chapter and through Ephesians 5 on how to live through righteousness; here are some examples:
Put away lying- speak truth
Be ye angry and sin not- let not the sun go down upon your wrath
Neither give place to the devil
Let him who stole- steal no more: but let him labour working with his hands
Let no corrupt communications proceed out of your mouth
Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God
Be ye kind one to another
Walk in love
Let no man deceive you with vain words
Walk as children of light
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord
Have no fellowship with the unfruitful
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil
Be ye not unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is
Giving thanks for all things unto God
Wives submit yourselves unto your own husband, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is head of the church.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word
This is a summary of many great things that are in those verses, in which I greatly encourage you, my friend, to study and read them. Many of these verses have become sayings that people tend to take out of context. For this reason, we have the responsibility to study God’s Word for ourselves and not to take another individual’s word or perspective on the subject.
Reading the Bible becomes a closer personal relationship in which you grow in Christ over time. He will show you something new in His Word each time you read it.
God’s Word is never changing; we are the ones who are in continual growth. When we were children, we drank milk as a child, but when we are older, we consume meat. God’s Word stays the same; it’s we who are able to grow in our understanding. It’s almost like God highlighting certain things in the Bible as we study that He wants us to focus on at that time. Months later, we could study the same passage and He “highlights” another portion that would give us understanding for the time we need it. Knowing God is the first thing we should be sure of; to know Him is to know the Author and Creator of the Scripture. He guides us as we grow in His light.
Final Thoughts
When in doubt, find out for yourself! Don’t take another individual’s interpretation of what the Bible says; we should be studying it so that we can know instantly if what others say is aligned with the Scriptures.
Another individual’s walk is not yours; let us be careful not to rely on others’ knowledge of what the Bible says. Let us take time each day to read a minimum of one verse, a psalm, a proverb, or a chapter each day and meditate on it. This holds us accountable to the knowledge of God and allows us to find the new ‘gems’ of knowledge that He wants us to know.
Our walk is a personal one, and no other person can walk that path for us.
Reflection & Journal Prompts
Read Ephesians chapter 4-6, write down the verses that God ‘highlights’ of new knowledge He wants you to see. Ask God to help you with those areas. Then come back to visit this section in a month and see if there’s anything new that God may reveal to you that you didn’t see the last time. (You will witness God’s “highlighting” in action)
Am I living in a renewed righteous walk through Christ as a new creature? Ask God if there is anything that He would have you work on to put away that doesn’t reflect God’s righteousness.
What verse(s) are different than what you thought? Did you hear another version or interpretation of that verse before? Write down what you heard from others and then what God’s Word truly says.
Weekly Challange
Don’t take my word for it….
Let us be more cautious in what we know to be true or not. You should do your own research to see what the truth or facts would be. Don’t settle for what another individual knows to be the truth; this is when misunderstandings begin to sow seeds of false information.
Be diligent in discerning God’s Word, let us seek God’s truth against what others may say or believe, so that we may not give place to the devil and lead us to false information.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father,
May we be vigilant to know Your Word and study it with Your guidance. May You ‘highlight’ areas that would help us to grow and apply to the edifying of our walk as Christians. Help us to memorize and hide Your Word in our hearts so we may speak, behave, and be ready to respond to others in our daily lives. Help us to draw closer to You, show us areas that we may need correction. Be with us each day, may we continue to be bolder, stronger messengers of Your truth. Embrace those who need You, heal those who are sick, comfort those who are weary, save those who are lost. May You continue to be with each one that is praying together now as a community, strengethen and allow this mission to be one that reflects the things that You would have it to be, guide me as I continue to spread Your Word and continue each Bible Study, Weekly Reflection or Course Study- may You God the Father have all the honor in praise and glory.
We ask this in Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
May God be with you, my friend in Christ!
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See also - Map of Salvation- The Roman Road
