Character, Taking On A God-Fashioned Life

In summary of Ephesians 4:22-24 it says,

“22 So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to—the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. 23 Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, 24 and you must put on the new self, which is created in God's likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy.”

Bottom Line:

Get rid of your old self and ways which was destroying you by deceitful desires.  Instead be new by putting on your new self created in God’s image and likeness.

What This Means To Me:

I need to get rid of my old self and desires, letting the Spirit renew my thoughts and attitudes.  I need to put on my new self each day and live as a new person made to be like God, truly good and set apart for his service.  In addition I need to be careful that I’m not trying to control my circumstances, my future and people around me (playing God).  God doesn’t want me to become a god; instead he wants me to become godly, taking on his values, attitudes, and character. In this verse I’m reminded that I’m meant to "take on an entirely new way of life - a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into my conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you."  Every time I forget that character is one of God's purposes for my life, I’ll become frustrated by my circumstances wondering "Why is this happening to me?"  I need to remember that life is not about me! I exist for God's purposes, not vice versa. God gives me my time on earth to build and strengthen my character for heaven.