I Can’t Change Overnight

In review of Ephesians 4:24 it says, “Put on your new nature, created to be like God — truly righteous and holy” (NLT).

Today’s verse is from the last part of Ephesians 4:24-25. In it Paul tells me to let the Spirit renew my thoughts and attitudes. To put on my new nature, created to be like God, truly righteous and holy.

If I’m not careful, my old way of life, (before I believed in Christ), will automatically crop up. Paul reminds me to get rid of it, discard it as if it was old clothing. My decision to follow Christ was both a one time decision as well as a daily conscious commitment. I should not let desire and impulse drive me. Instead I must choose to make the decision to put on a new nature, head in a new direction, and have a new way of thinking provided by the Holy Spirit speaking into my life.

God understands I can’t change overnight. As God helps me grow spiritually, he doesn’t just snap his fingers so that it happens instantly. He’ll work on me incrementally. When God wants to make a mushroom, he takes six hours, but when he wants to make an oak tree, he takes 60 years. Do I want to be a mushroom or an oak tree? The Holy Spirit will help make changes in my life far beyond anything I thought possible, but it’s not going to happen overnight.

If I want to be stronger emotionally, physically, spiritually, psychologically, and financially, I’ve got to be intentional about it. The Bible says, “Put on your new nature, created to be like God — truly righteous and holy” (Ephesians 4:24 NLT).

To become more like Jesus, I need to throw off the old things and the old ways that keep me from getting to know and becoming like him, and I put on my new self with the help of the Holy Spirit. I let God do his work in me, no matter how long it takes. “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him” (2 Corinthians 3:18 TLB).

Bottom Line:

Put on your new nature, created in His likeness.

What this means to me:

I need to put on my new self, one created in God's likeness and reveals itself in a true life that is upright and set apart for His use.

It would be wise for me to review and maybe even re-establish goals for how I can live a life that God can use for his purposes. Father I pray this morning, that I learn to live my life with trust in you, especially as you train me to fulfill the purpose you have in mind for me. Also give me wisdom and guidance on the tasks I have in front of me so that I can put the appropriate time into the important things, while maintaining a proper balance of completing the urgent tasks that need my attention. Help me to adopt and follow “the way of the shepherd” in my leadership. Help me to respond rightly to those around me. In your Son Jesus name I pray, amen!