Putting Off The Old Man

"...If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:21-24).

In an attempt to put off the "old man" and put on the "new man" I have come to the conclusion that it is impossible without the help of Holy Spirit.  The "old man" has a way of clinging and he is difficult to remove, it takes time as the "new man" doesn't slip over the "old man" but must replace him.  As the change is happening and the "new man" is revealed in you, many will no longer recognize who you are.  In fact, they believe that it is nothing more than a temporary phase, soon you will return to the "old man" the one they know so well.  How then can we make this change in our lives?  That is the purpose of this blog, to consider your faith in light of Biblical truths.  To encourage you that we have Holy Spirit living in us to aid us in the life change.  It takes time and effort and a setting of new priorities. If we love our children, our spouses and family members as well as friends, then the effort is worth it and what we teach our children, and other will protect them and that is true love, not in words only, but in action.

I recall a time when my brother interviewed "Tex" Watson: a convicted murderer and former member of the Charles Manson "Family." He was convicted of the murders of Sharon Tate, Steven Parent, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski and Jay Sebring, which took place in the early hours of August 9, 1969, in the Tate residence in Benedict Canyon, in the Los Angeles area, and the murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca at the LaBianca residence in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angels the following night.  I am sure that if he could he would rewind those nights, he would do things different, but he can't.  Some things are just not fixable.  He was sentenced to die only to have the sentence commuted to life in prison because the death penalty was abolished.  When my brother interviewed in while he was in the San Luis Obispo, CA., Men's Colony his life had changed, he had become a Christian and began a ministry, Abounding Love Ministry, reaching out to prisoners with the love of God.  His life is a testimony of God's abounding grace.  Unless God intervenes "Tex" Watson will spend the rest of his life in prison.  Yet, quietly, mostly unknown by most Christians his ministry to prisoners is helping others to put off the "old man" and helping them to put on the "new man."  There are, probably, many who believe his conversion is a conversion of convenience and that he hasn't really changed, they expect him to return to the "old man" and believe he would if released from prison.  He must pay for his crime, and justice must be served and in this season of his life it is what it is.  He is making the most of his time and so should we.  There are seasons in our lives, "To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:.." (Ecclesiastes 3:1). 

A new season has approached, a desire to be faithful to God's word, to quietly make time to become further equipped, a season of examining my faith to considered whether or not it is in strict harmony with Scripture.  The season then is one of quiet, working silently with those who might need some guidance. To be scriptural in meeting the requirements of being a teacher we must consider our past, as did "Tex" Watson, who quietly works behind the scenes in prison.  Paul writes: "Moreover he must have a good testimony among those outside..." (1 Timothy 3:7a).  Recently it was pointed out to me that I do not meet that criteria, and until I do I must not be a public teacher, it is not that I have done anything immoral, it is like "Tex" Watson my past catching up.  Paul writes: "But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless" (Ephesians 3:10).  With that in mind I humbly submit, and end this blog until I have been tested and found blameless.

I do pray that all who might have read any of these blogs were uplifted, led to consider your faith, become readers, doers of God's word.  In His Word only can we find safety, guidance, and impact others who need to come to Jesus for salvation, and also to put off the "old man" and put on the "new man" changing their world for the better.  

Thank You

Daily Prayer:

Father it is into Your hands that we entrust our lives, looking into Your Word and making the necessary changes, allowing Your Word to guide us, protect us, helping us/me to put on the "new man."  Bless those who are considering their faith in light of Your Word, guide them into the truth of Your Word.  May their lives have an impact upon their families, friends, and others, comfort them when others rebuke them for their faith.
                                                                                                                                                  Amen