“And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They’ve refused for so long to deal with God that they’ve lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can’t think straight anymore…
But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ!…Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it!
And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.”
Ephesians 4:17-24 MSG
When no one is looking…when you are all alone, who are you? Are you still living an old rotten way of life or an entirely new way of life?
One way is like the empty-headed, mindless crowd that have refused for so long to deal with God that they can’t think straight anymore.
The other is an entirely new way of life…a God-fashioned life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces HIS CHARACTER in you!
Well, the Apostle Paul says, right from the start, (talking to Jesus followers), that he insists, and God backs him up, that you are not to have anything to do with that old rotten life. Ignorance is no excuse.
And why would you want to return to old ways, bad habits and mindless actions? That’s what your character USED to be…before you invited Christ into your life. He’s not there to take a back seat…no, He’s there to drive. He’s there to take over…and you can enjoy the ride as “He reproduces His character in you!”
That’s the best part. He doesn’t take your old character and put band aids all over it. Trying to mend or cover up the old wounds and scars.
No, He makes you brand new. Because that old life was rotten through and through, band aids would only temporarily cover up your sores. But the stench, emitting from the inside, cannot be covered. That needs an inside cure. A whole transformation!
Enter Jesus! He makes ALL things new! The stench of your old character isn’t just covered up by air freshener. No, He has gone deep inside, where the source of the stench emanates. And has given you a clean heart. One that belongs to Him, as His character is working itself into your conduct.
