Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:23-24
As a child, when Sunday morning rolled around, there was a change to the routine. It began as early as Saturday night, with a bath–in a small ranch-style home with four people sharing one bathroom, we couldn’t wait until Sunday morning, so my brother Greg and I were relegated to Saturday night. Come morning, we would get dressed in our Sunday best. These were set apart from our usual school and play clothes. I don’t remember ever questioning why we couldn’t wear our casual Monday through Saturday wear; when we went to church, we knew it was time to put on slacks, button-down shirts, and shoes. In this physical outward change, we were preparing ourselves to enter into the house of God for worship.
When we accept Jesus as our Lord, we change our spiritual clothing; we “throw off your (our) old sinful nature and your (our) former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.” (v. 2). In our baptism of the water, we have our spiritual Saturday night bath, washed anew–leaving behind the dirt of sin. We cast off our Monday through Saturday clothes and put on the “Sunday best” given to us by God, the Holy Spirit. Donning these new clothes, we notice a difference; yes, there’s a physical outward change, but more significantly, there’s a change in our thoughts and attitudes. We desire to become the righteous and holy people God wants us to be. These new clothes aren’t just for Sunday or special occasions, but our new spiritual attire every day of the week.
Father, as we reflect on the words of the apostle Paul, we come before you humbled and seeking your grace. We confess that we often stray from the path of righteousness and allow our old sinful nature to cloud our thoughts and actions. We yearn to be adorned with the new nature you offer us, and we desire to be renewed in the spirit of our minds, to shed the old, and embrace the new. May the Holy Spirit work within us, washing away the stains of our past and cleansing our hearts with your mercy and love. Father, renew our thoughts and attitudes, transforming them into reflections of your righteousness and holiness. Guide us as we strive to put off the old self and put on the newness of your image, full of love, compassion, and integrity. Please help us to walk in your ways and to live a life worthy of the calling you have placed upon us. May the outward change in our thoughts and actions be a true reflection of the inward transformation taking place within our souls. As we wear the garments of your grace and love, may we become a beacon of your light in the world, sharing your message of hope and redemption with all we meet. In the precious name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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