ABC's of Godly Character - N

N is for New Creation! Are you a New Creation in Christ? After we get saved we are called to live differently than the rest of the unsaved world. Being a New Creation means we change our habits, our attitudes, our words, our actions, and our lifestyle to reflect that of Christ. Ephesians 4:22-24 says “put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (ESV). Paul tells us in Colossians 3:5-10 to “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator” (ESV). Look at that list again. When we are a New Creation in Christ we should not have sex outside of marriage, not want what others have, have no evil thoughts, no idols, no anger, no bad or hurtful language, no lies…some of these can be hard to achieve. I truly struggle with anger issues; I have a temper, but I try to keep it in check and let God's Word transform me.  At a young age I memorized, "Be angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath" Ephesians 4:26. Without the help of the Holy Spirit we are looking at a hard list to live up to; however with His help and by hiding God's Word in our hearts we can complete the challenge and become a New Creation!

Prayer Starter: Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to become a New Creation that lives a life for You. Help me do away with my old sinful, earthly self and cling to the Fruit of the Spirit that You can help grow in me. Help me to be pleasing in Your sight. In Your Holy Name I ask, Amen.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to work on this list in your life today. Write it out these verses and place them where you will see and read them, then ask God to help you achieve it!