Change Takes Time

In review of Ephesians 4:24 it says, “Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness”

Bottom Line:

Put on your new self, created to be like God, truly righteous and holy.

What this means to me:

I am to put on my new self, created after the likeness of God and that reveals itself in a life that is upright and holy.

Today as I study this verse, I’m reminded that change is not instantaneous, but rather takes time to develop. So as God works to smooth out the rough edges of my life, he doesn’t just snap his fingers so that it happens suddenly, rather he works on it incrementally.  Mushrooms grow quickly, oak trees take many years.

The Holy Spirit will make changes in my life far beyond anything I ever thought was possible, but they’re not going to happen overnight. The work of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God and support from close Christian friends / small group members will help me become more Christlike and further along each year and the in the years to come.

Today's verse does remind me that I do need to be intentional about it, “Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24 ESV). I need to wake up each day and put on my new self, leaving the old sinful self behind. As I do this become more like Jesus. The Apostle Paul says, “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him” (2 Corinthians 3:18b TLB).