Letter from the Pastor
September
I have been meditating this week on Ep 4:22-24 In these verses Paul encourages believers to "Lay aside the old self" which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit. To be renewed in the Spirit of our minds, and to Put on the new self which is the likeness of God, which has been created in righteousness, holiness and truth.
In this text we are reminded that change in the Christians life is a three stage event.
Firstly we must lay aside the old self. Broadly speaking this is what is sometimes called repentance namely to turn around and change directions in life and conduct.
Repentance is inseparable with belief and in fact it is the most clear evidence we have of the genuiness of our faith (faith without works is dead).
Secondly we are to be renewed in the Spirit of our minds. Jesus said it's not what goes into a man (i.e. what he eats) that defines him but what comes out that is the problem for what comes out is indicative of what's in our hearts. So when our hearts are renewed our conduct is changed.
Outward only change is at best a temporary fix but when our hearts are renewed by God through His Word then lasting change will take place.
So the third and final stage of Christian change is to put on our new self that is fashioned in the likeness of God.
A heart swept clean and left empty is an invitation for even worse demons and habits to congregate and destroy our lives so it's important that we don't leave a vacuum in our lives whereby we may become vulnerable again to wicked influences.
We should daily fill ourselves up with the nourishing Word of God and encourage each other to do good works that demonstrate God's love to others.
God Bless,
Quote of the Month
" If a river is dirty brown when flowing into the sea, you can be sure there has been bad weather at its source. "
(Enyab Nai)
