Ephesians 4:17-24: a reflection

17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts. 19They, having become callous, gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20But you didn’t learn Christ that way, 21if indeed you heard him and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: 22that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit, 23and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.

Paul calls the Ephesians to a decisive change, using the image of clothing put off and put on. Put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old self, he says, which grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and put on the new self, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth. There is an old self, the former way of life, corrupt and to be put off; and a new self, created in God's likeness, to be put on. We are to put off the one and put on the other.

Notice the two movements: put off the old self, and put on the new. The old self is the former way of life, the corrupt pattern of living apart from God; and it is to be put off, laid aside, like a worn-out garment. The new self is the new life created in God's likeness, in righteousness and holiness; and it is to be put on, taken up, like a new garment. This is not a single act but an ongoing one, a continual putting off of the old and putting on of the new, being renewed in the spirit of our minds. We are to keep putting off the old and putting on the new.

That call is worth taking to heart, for we are to be putting off the old self and putting on the new, continually. We can settle into the old patterns, the former way of life, the corrupt self, rather than putting it off; or we can neglect to put on the new self, the new life in Christ. But Paul calls us to both: to put off the old and put on the new, being renewed in our minds. Do not settle into the old self and its corrupt patterns; put it off, and put on the new self, created in God's likeness in righteousness and holiness. Keep putting off the old self, the former way of life, and putting on the new self, being renewed in the spirit of your mind, as Paul calls us to lay aside the old and take up the new; for the Christian life is a continual putting off of the old self and putting on of the new, created in the likeness of God.

Lord, Paul calls the Ephesians to a decisive change, using the image of clothing put off and put on. Put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old self, he says, which grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and put on the new self, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth. There is an old self, corrupt and to be put off; and a new self, created in your likeness, to be put on. Show me the two movements: put off the old self, and put on the new. The old self is the former way of life, the corrupt pattern of living apart from you; and it is to be put off, laid aside. The new self is the new life created in your likeness; and it is to be put on. This is an ongoing movement, a continual putting off of the old and putting on of the new, being renewed in the spirit of my mind. Take that call to my heart, for I am to be putting off the old self and putting on the new, continually. I can settle into the old patterns, the former way of life, rather than putting it off; or I can neglect to put on the new self. But you call me to both. Keep me from settling into the old self and its corrupt patterns; help me put it off, Lord, and put on the new self, created in your likeness in righteousness and holiness. Help me keep putting off the old self and putting on the new, being renewed in the spirit of my mind.