[20] “But you have not so learned Christ, [21] if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: [24] and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” — Ephesians 4:20 - 21, 24 NKJV
Did you know that you were given a new man when you got born again? That new man in you is Christ. You died when you got saved because you were baptised into Christ’s death on the cross (Romans 6:3-4). Your body didn’t change when you got saved, but your spiritual identity was (and still is). That is why Paul could boldly say,
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20 NKJV
Before Paul made this statement, he had already come to the fullness of walking in the consciousness of the new man – Christ, in all his life endeavours. What about you?
Galatians 3:27 (NKJV) indeed says,
“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
But it’s also written in Romans 13:14 NKJV that,
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”
Is it a contradiction? No! It’s like having an idea in mind and living like it. They are two different things. Right?
You already have Christ in you. But to put on the new man, the same Christ, means to live according to the patterns of God. That comes with divine knowledge of eternal life, spiritual responsibility and discipline with the help of the Spirit in you.
You don’t need to use your human strength to live unto God. Just submit yourself unto Him in all your ways. He’ll take care of the rest.
You’re a blessing.
Prayer
Oh God, help me put on the new man in me in everything I do. Assist me to find how to glorify you in everything I do. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen!
Devotional Code: KGD – 2023 – 210