Put on the New Self

Summary: Paul firmly instructs believers to no longer live as those who do not know God. He describes the old way of life as shaped by darkness of understanding, spiritual separation from God, and hardened hearts that lead to moral insensitivity and self‑centered living. This way of life is marked by desires that grow unchecked and by actions that move further away from God’s truth. In contrast, Paul reminds them that this is not what they learned through Christ. To truly know Christ is to hear His truth and be taught a different way of living. Believers are called to lay aside their former self—the old patterns shaped by deceitful desires—and to undergo a deep inner renewal of mind and attitude. This renewal leads to putting on a new way of life, one created by God Himself. This new self reflects God’s character and is expressed in righteousness and holiness that flow from truth   Teaching: If a person has no relationship with God, their life becomes empty while they are alive, and after death they fall under God’s judgment—into eternal death. As believers in Jesus, we must not fall into a meaningless way of living, but instead live by the life of God. The faith spoken of in the Bible means following God. It means hearing the words God speaks and coming to know who He is. As we come to know Him, we believe Him more deeply, and through that faith we continue to know Him more. In this process, we come to understand God’s righteousness and what is right in His eyes. From there, we discover God’s will—and that will is truth. Faith is entirely a matter of the will. Yet it is not a will powered by our own strength, but a will that turns to God and asks for His help. When we desire to become holy and rely on God’s help, He makes us into new people. Excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Lee, Apr 8, 2026 Ephesians 4:17-24