Eph.4:24 "and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. "
- A new person (born again Christian) must live out the new life to bring forth the image of God.
How?
1. Thinking must be different
- Be imitator of God.
- Don't go back to the old thinking
- Romans 12:2 says: " And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
2. Should not follow the ungodly
- They are separated from the life of God.
- They are ignorant due to the fultility of their mind (Eph 4:17b - 18 says: " the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart..."
- Romans 2:14-16 (The Message) says:"When outsiders who have never heard of God's law follow it more or less by instinct, they confirm its truth by their obedience. They show that God's law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric of our creation. There is something deep within them that echoes God's yes and no, right and wrong. Their response to God's yes and no will become public knowledge on the day God makes his final decision about every man and woman. The Message from God that I proclaim through Jesus Christ takes into account all these differences.
3. Live according to the teaching of the Word of God
Eph 4:21-24 (NLT) says:"21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
- The Word of God Sanctify us
- The WOrd of God keeps this new life in us.
- Don't grief the Holy Spirit/God. (By disobeying God and not being sensitive to God).
3 areas we need to watch out:
(i) Speech
- Put off falsehood but speak the truth in love to build and not to hurt one another.
- No unwholesome talk - words that'll tear down people; talk that don't glorify God or dirty jokes.
- Be quick to listen and slow to be angry.
Before you speak, ask yourself:
N - Neccessary? (Think Carefully)
E - Does it emancipate? (free the person?)
E - Does it energise people?
D - Does it dignify people? (Make people feel significant, someone in Christ, life is worth living)
(ii) Surge of emotion
- Do not sin in your anger. This is because you'll speak rashly.
- Anger will lead you to think "how I wish I didn't see you"
- Suppressed anger will lead u to brew over it, hold it in your heart and becomes depressed or even bitter.
(iii) Stealing (pilferage)
- Eg. steal office time to do shopping or from Christian counsellor by not changing your ways (for those organisation that do not charge a fee).
Conclusion:
- Get rid of all bitterness, brawless anger.
- Learn to control our tongue.
- Be kind & compassionate to one another.
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