In the past few weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing friends, family members, and others in the wider network graduate. Like me, you may have realized that graduations are important transitions, as they step from one way of life to another, leaving behind some habits and even ways of thinking. Today’s Holy Nougat invites us to think about our spiritual graduations.
Ephesians 4:24 NIV
[24] and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Leaving the Old Ways Behind
Can you see the link between our earthly graduation and putting on our new life in Christ?
For me, it is about the transition from patterns that formerly defined us. Whether it was preschool, primary (elementary) school, high school, or college; the fact of graduation says to the world that that stage of learning is past; now on to the new.
Paul proposes that as believers, we also indicate to the world (by baptism or confirmation) that we have chosen to leave old patterns in favour of God’s way. Interestingly, there is a sense in which that shift is more about ‘reverting to factory settings’, as we seek to be that which God intended us to be.
Self-Check
What would/did a manufacturer reset look like for us?
Application
Paul doesn’t leave the type of reset we need hanging. He stated that our graduation is to true righteousness and holiness. This, then, is the crux of the matter. Our new self (i.e., factory settings) is called to be sincere (truly, straightforward) in reflecting a God-approved, anointed lifestyle.
For some of us, the transition was straightforward, natural even. Others of us might be struggling. This isn’t about judgement. Rather, we resolve to invite Christ’s grace through God’s Spirit to transform us on the journey. We can not make ourselves Holy. Rather, holiness comes as we become more and more yielded to Christ. We can not make ourselves righteous. We seek to be righteous. It is only God Who can make that possible. For, He Who was sinless, took on our sin so that, through His resurrection power, we might enjoy a God anointed and God approved life. In Christ, we become more and more like what God destined us to be – were in that next phase.
Point to Ponder
Our graduation, therefore, is truly about yieldedness, by faith, to Christ’s way. How will we yield today?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
