Ephesians 4:20-24 (NIV)
You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 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.
Paul is helping the Ephesians to understand that their salvation is not just a matter of theology. God requires that our salvation work itself out in practical ways, in our actions and in our attitudes. The fruit that is visible truly does tell the state of the tree from which the fruit grows. (Matthew 7:15-20)
The new life of the Christian is designed to be startlingly different than that of the same person before their conversion. This difference, which encompasses actions, attitudes, worldview, mindset and priorities, should be powerfully evident to everyone, especially to those who know that person the best.
Paul identifies three key actions that are part of this process. The first is to put off the old self. Some call this laying down our old life, others dying to sin, and still others making ourselves a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). It entails an act of the will on the part of the new disciple, a conscious turning away from sin and worldliness, a purposeful laying down of what is old, broken, dying, so that a new, whole, eternal life can be received in its place.
The second action is to be made new in the attitudes of the mind. This is expressed in the passive mood because this work of transformation is not something that can be accomplished by people for themselves. Christianity and true discipleship are not a matter of self-help or self-improvement, not a matter of turning over a new leaf or making lists of goals or affirmations. They are about transformation, the renewing of one’s mind and heart (Romans 12:2), being remade from the inside out into the very image and likeness of Jesus. This work can only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit’s work in the heart and mind. Without this work, the disciple is doomed to frustration and failure as they find their old, sinful self, still alive and well, overwhelming the new life in them.
The final action is again an act of the will: putting on the new self, which is created to be like God Himself, genuinely righteous and holy. This seems to many like an impossibility, a goal that must remain purely aspirational for one’s whole life. But God never promises or commands anything that He is not able to accomplish in or through a person. Paul taught the Ephesians to willfully accept this new holy and righteous life from God’s hand, and then to put it on and live in it, so that they can clearly and accurately reflect His image and likeness to those around them, just as mankind was created to do from the beginning (Genesis 1:26-27).
Father, these things might seem impossible to us, but all things are possible for You, even transforming hearts, instilling Your own holy and righteous image into our lives so that we can live in it all the rest of our days. But to receive this, we must believe that You can do it. Only then will we do our part willingly, so that You can do Your part. I think it is significant that our two parts, taking off the old self and putting on the new, open and close this process, with Your transforming work in the middle. Help us to start this work today in faith, so that we can receive all that You have for us, and then so we can live it out intentionally in all righteousness and holiness, all the rest of our lives. Amen.