New Creation (Ephesians 4:17-24 NKJV)

To simplify the scripture, Ephesians 4: 17-24, Paul is writing to those in Ephesus, who have accepted the good news of Christ, and he is calling them out of their former ways of sin into a new creation founded in Christ. It can be very confusing, at first, to understand what Paul means when he says, "that you put on the new man which is created according to God." However, we have to remember that when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are also accepting the truth that He died and rose from the grave so that we may be freed from our sin THROUGH FAITH. This means that our transformation, or us "putting on the new man," doesn't happen by force. Jesus isn't telling us to fix ourselves; He is using the letters of Paul to guide us down the path of true restoration. As stated in verses 22-23, Paul says "that you put off, concerning your former conduct (Ways of Sin), the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind." Becoming a new creation in Christ means that you intentionally begin to renew your mind through prayer, fasting, and reading the word of God, trusting that your old desires will fall off as your spirit is continuously being filled. The Holy Spirit and sin can't live together, so instead of trying to force yourself, by your own strength, to stop sinning, trust that the effort you're taking now, to fill your spirit, is being used by God to create a new heart and mind in you. So, I encourage you today, just as Paul did for the Gentiles, worry not as those who have no faith, but instead, in this journey of faith in Christ, fill yourself with the word of God that you may be knowledgeable, pray, that you grow in trusting God, and fast, submitting your flesh to the feet of Christ. This is not a battle we can fight by our own strength; Instead, let us grow in the power originally given to us through the Holy Spirit.