Ephesians 4:20-24 "But ye have not so learned Christ; (21) If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: (22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
"If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the
truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old
man..." As I read these words just now, it hit me as hard as ever before
that when we read the Bible, we are reading God's Word. I know I say that
often, but it hit me in a different way this morning. As we are reading God's
Word, we should be asking to "hear God's voice." Yes, if it is God's
Word (and it is), then we should know that we are listening to the voice of the
Lord. We might sometimes be tempted to say, "Well, I've never heard the
voice of God like Moses and the prophets." But that's not true. We hear
His voice each time we read. So my question to myself this morning is this:
"As I hear, do I listen?" And yes, there is a difference. We can hear
the noise of a voice and never hear (or pay attention) to what is being said.
How many times have you had to ask, "What did you say?" And it was
because you heard, but were not listening. So this morning, I am subjecting
myself to the scrutiny of determining how often I hear, but do not listen.
If I have heard Him, then I have been taught to "put off ... the former
conversation (of) the old man." That is to say, God has spoken to me that
"... if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed
away; behold, all things are become new." In Christ Jesus, I am a new
creation; therefore, I am to put away the thoughts, deeds, and speech of the
old way. I am no longer that creature that walked in darkness and enjoyed the
life of the worldly minded. I am to put that away and search for the paths of
Christ that lead to the abundant life that He has promised. But though I am a
new creation in heart, I still have to deal with my carnal mind that needs
training in the new way. That is where God's Word comes into my life in such a
way that I can hear God saying to me, "This is the way... walk
therein." AND.. because I have a new nature, I must discipline myself to
leave the old way behind and walk in the life of the "new man, which after
God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Yes, I must renew that
manner of thinking and living every single day. In fact, I need to renew my
mind several times every day. How about you? Am I listening as God speaks to me
through His Word? Are you?
1 Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
abide in Him always, and feed on His word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
2 Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
spend much time in secret with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
3 Take time to be holy, let Him be thy guide,
and run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
and, looking to Jesus, still trust in His word.
4 Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.