Don't stop there

As I mentioned, I'm meditating on what it means to put off the old man and put on the new according to Ephesians 4:22-24. If you keep reading the following verse Paul talks about not lying, but speaking truth, then he says

"let him who stole steal no longer, rather let him labor, working with his hands that he may have something to give him who has need" vs 28

I find it interesting that many times as christians, were satisfied with only the absence of bad habits or sins in our life. If we heard about someone who used to steal but now doesn't, we would all celebrate. Paul however, instructs us not to stop there. It's not enough to just not steal, you need to now go further and give. Too often we ask God to "take off" our bad habits and sins, but we rarely ask him to help us "put on" godly virtues.

I think one reason for this is that sinful habits make us feel guilty and defeated in our walk with God, but the absence of Christ like character doesn't always have the same affect and provides less motivation to make changes in our lives.

Becoming like Jesus must be the reason for everything we do, and to make it about not feeling guilty or not wanting a blow to your "spiritual pride" is wrongly motivated and will lead to frustration. Remember that the process of "putting on the new" is just as important as "taking off the old."

--don;t just stop coveting, be generous
--don't just stop being bitter, but put on extravagant forgiveness
--don't just tolerate those you consider enemies, love them
--don't just stop blowing up in anger, develop patience
--don't just stop lusting, but put on holiness in every area
--don't just show up for work, but be the best employee there
--don't just stop complaining, but start being thankful for what you have
--don't just stop putting people down, look for ways to be an encourager.