There is a New Self

Ephesians 4:24, “And to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness”.

Anything new attracts a different response – excitement, apprehension, curiousity, some expectation to say the least. Watch how people react to a new class, car, shoes, position, authority, etc. But we are talking of acquiring a New Self – new personality, character, behaviour, attitude, etc. This New Self will be patterned after God draped in ‘true righteousness and holiness’.

What does it mean to acquire a New Self? 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here”! The coming of the New Self seems to infer the expiry and/or rejection of the ‘old self’ - with the acceptance of Christ.

The ‘old self’ is encumbered with too many inadequacies, too much baggage and far too unqualified to work in tandem with the believer in Christ. The ‘old self’ carries the nature of Adam. We were all born with it…filled with all kinds of vices – sin, iniquities, wickedness, etc. No believer can live a successful life under this toga, hence, the need for a New Self.

The New Self derives its life from the believer’s acceptance of the authority of the Almighty God through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. At repentance, the believer discards the ‘old self’ and as they embrace Christ, they become the New Self. The Book of Colossians 3:12-17 tells us a lot about the New Self;

“12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 

14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 

16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him”.

In summary, the New Self manifests new characteristics such as;

1.                  -Holiness, compassionate, kind, humility, gentleness and patience

2.                  -Forgiving

3.                  -Loving

4.                  -Full of the peace of God and gratitude

5.                  -Filled with the word of God and with praises to God

6.                  -Accountable to God

We can therefore appreciate the difference between the ‘old self’ and the New Self as highlighted in Ephesians 4:22-32;

“22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 

23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;

24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

26 “In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 

27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 

28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 

29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 

32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”.

Dumping the ‘old self’ and embracing the New Self is very crucial to our Christian journey and our ultimate destination which is in heaven. The New Man is the most significant manifestation of our original creation which is a prototype of our Lord Jesus Christ who lives in us and consequently, will continue to transform our lives until we conform to His image. Now, that’s a decision everyone of us needs to take…like right now!!!