January 14, 2024 - INSCRIPTIONS FROM THE HEART

By Pastor Immanuel Garcera

IFH: January 14, 2024

Created to be Like Christ

The New Years is usually marked with people who make decisions, resolutions, and set up goals to better themselves and to live better for the upcoming year. Now, there’s nothing wrong is the desire to live a better life through goal setting, having a New Year’s resolution or wanting to make better decisions. The problem is that most people only get in this life changing mood at the start of the New Year.

Ephesians 4:22-24 says, “22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” As Christians, the Bible states that the resolution to change for the better should be a constant desire. Ephesians 4 states that the consequence of not putting off our former way of life is that we will be corrupted by its desires. The alternative or the solution then, has something to do with our minds, to change our attitude. The Bible doesn’t leave it our own power to change either; to put on our new self in Christ, who we are in Christ, created to be like God is where true righteousness and holiness is found. Without our identity in Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, by the ordained time of God the Father, change wouldn’t be possible.

If we, as Christians are taught to put off our old selves, the question is; what is our attitude towards sin? And, are we finding our identity in Christ first for change before looking in our own means? Personally, for me, the Christian life is depicted perfectly in baptism; we are to “die to self” and “live for Christ”, but instead of this happening one time, in a pledge, (much like our New Year’s resolutions) it should be our desire each and every day. As we are taught to regard our former way of life, to put off our old selves; let us put on our new self: who we are in Christ, created to be like Him in true righteousness and holiness.

To God be the glory, forever and ever.