“…when YOU HEARD about Christ and were TAUGHT BY HIM in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 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; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to PUT ON THE NEW SELF, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph. 4:21-24)
The first thing we see is we’re being told that WE HEARD ABOUT JESUS, just when did that happen? “…the wrath of God IS REVEALED FROM HEAVEN against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God IS MANIFEST (plain to see) IN THEM, for God has SHOWN IT TO THEM. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are CLEARLY SEEN, being understood BY THE THINGS THAT ARE MADE, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are WITHOUT EXCUSE…” (Rom. 1:18-20)
How do we “put off” the old and “put on” the new? “I have been CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST; (the death or “putting off” of the old man) it is no longer I who live, but CHRIST LIVES IN ME; and the life which I NOW LIVE (putting on the new man) in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20) Paul tells us in the book of Romans, “you also, reckon yourselves to be DEAD INDEED TO SIN (put off), but ALIVE TO GOD (put on) in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:11)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is A NEW CREATION; old things have PASSED AWAY; behold, ALL THINGS have BECOME NEW.” (2 Corin. 5:17)
-Bill Stockham