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The Principle of Put Off and Put On

Have you found yourself watching TV and a commercial will air that is advertising a new medicine or item? Every type of these commercials use the same formula:

1. There is a pending or present problem.
2. The ‘item or medicine” is the solution. And,
3. the disclaimers, at the end of the commercial, remind you of additional problems that may occur.

A simplified formula is: negative, positive and possible negative.

We are often told never use a negative to try to reinforce a positive; however from your kitchen cleaner to a cholesterol medicine we are daily reminded of potential problems that require solutions.

Most people try to avoid any negatives; but such an approach only results in a problem that becomes less manageable over time. Of course there are also people who ONLY focus on the negatives, and never consider a solution, so their condition persists. 

In matters of every day life, medical concerns, truth and faith there is a principle we are challenged to embrace in every season. The Principle is: Put Off and Put On.

In his letter to the Ephesians the Apostle Paul is writing to a young church that is still wrestling with the old way of living, thinking and expecting while also trying to embrace the truth and reality of Jesus. It is obvious the clash of cultures are causing ripples throughout their routines. The frequent bouts of conflict with each other, their work and world require a choice to be made: Either embrace a new new lifestyle, in Christ, or remain the “old way.” The church of Ephesus is akin to a new patient, with pre-existing conditions, and Paul is performing the role of doctor by informing them they have a sickness that needs to be addressed NOW and the medicine is the Truth of Jesus!

In order to stress the importance of immediate change, Paul prescribes a series of “Put Off and Put On” examples to instruct them how to embrace this new lifestyle practically. The challenge for the Ephesians is, do they want to get better? Thankfully for any Christian the prescription of Jesus’ Truth never has harmful side-effects, like a trail medicine,  or the need for a 30-day money back guaranteed because it may not work for you. Jesus works all the time, every time and without fail a daily dose of Jesus’ Word will change our harmful behaviors, attitudes and physical and mental health if we will only taste and see the Lord is good!

Paul’s words challenge the Christian, for every generation, to “put off and put on” so we can get healthier in mind, body and spirit. While the process begins with me and you it is also a process that is meant to be replicated in the lives of the seeking, searching, hurting and lost. Only a healthy individual can treat an unhealthy person accurately. Only a spiritually mature Christian can identify the spiritual void in another. Only a person who has lived, and continues to practice, “put off and put on” can instruct others how such a decision will free them, heal them and equip them to fulfill their Kingdom purpose and live in their God given identity.

So, put off and put on…..first for yourself and then for others. There is a big world of need out there and we have the only solution: Jesus!

Blessings – JOSHUA

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Walk In Purity (Ephesians 4:17–32)

The first part of this chapter described the believer’s relationship to the church; now Paul deals with the believer’s relationship to the world. Certainly we are “in Christ” and a part of the body; but we are also in the world, where there is temptation and defilement. We cannot depart from the world because we have a responsibility to witness to it; but we must walk in purity and not allow the world to defile us.

Paul starts with the negative: do not walk the way the unsaved heathen walk. He explains the reasons for their godless walk: (1) their minds are darkened because they believe lies and have not received the truth; (2) they are spiritually dead; (3) they have surrendered themselves to do all kinds of sin. Compare this description with 2:1–3 and 2 Cor. 4. We might summarize their plight by saying they were walking in the wrong way because they did not know the truth and had never received the life. Only the Christ of John 14:6 could meet their spiritual needs.

The Christian life must be radically different from the old life. Paul expected the Ephesians to experience changes, and he gave three admonitions: “put off” (vv. 22–23), “put on” (v. 24), and “put away” (vv. 25ff). Romans 6 teaches us that the old self has been crucified and buried, and that, as we reckon this to be true, we “put off” the old man. God has done His part; it remains for us to believe what He has said and “change clothes.” The instruction Jesus gave concerning Lazarus applies to each believer: “Loose him—take off the grave clothes—and let him go!” But it is not enough simply to die to the old life; there must also be resurrection and the manifestation of the new life.

We put off the “grave clothes” of the old life and put on the “grace clothes” of the new life. We are a part of God’s new creation (v. 24 and 2:10) and therefore we walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4).
We must “put away” (once-for-all) certain sins, and he names these in 25ff. Note how Paul ties each commandment to a spiritual truth: we are members of each other (v. 25); we are sealed until the day of redemption (v. 30); God has forgiven us (v. 32). Doctrine and duty are twin blessings in the Bible, both the Christian’s wealth and his walk in Christ.

If we belong to the truth, how can we indulge in lies? Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44); his spirits tell lies (1 John 2:21, 27); one day the whole world will believe “The Lie” (2 Thes. 2:9–11).
There is an anger that is not sinful (Mark 3:5). If we are angry at persons, then sin will come along; if we are angry at sin and sinful principles, we can maintain a holy walk. How easy it is for Christians to call their tempers “righteous indignation”! The wrath of man never brings about the righteousness of God (James 1:20).
Giving place to the devil (v. 27) involves both lying and anger; for Satan is a liar and a murderer. Do we realize that lies and hypocrisy and anger give Satan a foothold in our lives? Cain’s lies and anger led to murder (Gen. 4).

Verse 25 ties in with 1 Thes. 4:11 and 2 Thes. 3:6–12. The unsaved thief used to rob to please himself; now that he is saved, he should work to be able to give to others. This is the wonderful change grace makes in the heart of a person.

Our lips should speak that which builds up (Col. 4:6; Ps. 141:3). Corruption from the lips only means that there is corruption in the heart. The Spirit has sealed us (1:13–14); we should not grieve Him by allowing these sins of action and attitude to be in our lives. In Scripture, the Spirit is pictured as a dove (John 1:32), and a dove is a clean bird that loves peace. Anger and clamor should be done away with by means of forgiveness and Christian love.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (pp. 548–550). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

“17 So I tell you and encourage you in the Lord’s name not to live any longer like other people in the world. Their minds are set on worthless things. 18 They can’t understand because they are in the dark. They are excluded from the life that God approves of because of their ignorance and stubbornness. 19 Since they no longer have any sense of shame, they have become promiscuous. They practice every kind of sexual perversion with a constant desire for more.
20 But that is not what you learned from Christ’s teachings. 21 You have certainly heard his message and have been taught his ways. The truth is in Jesus. 22 You were taught to change the way you were living. The person you used to be will ruin you through desires that deceive you. 23 However, you were taught to have a new attitude. 24 You were also taught to become a new person created to be like God, truly righteous and holy.
25 So then, get rid of lies. Speak the truth to each other, because we are all members of the same body.
26 Be angry without sinning. Don’t go to bed angry. 27 Don’t give the devil any opportunity ⌊to work⌋.
28 Thieves must quit stealing and, instead, they must work hard. They should do something good with their hands so that they’ll have something to share with those in need.
29 Don’t say anything that would hurt ⌊another person⌋. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you. 30 Don’t give God’s Holy Spirit any reason to be upset with you. He has put his seal on you for the day you will be set free ⌊from the world of sin⌋.
31 Get rid of your bitterness, hot tempers, anger, loud quarreling, cursing, and hatred. 32 Be kind to each other, sympathetic, forgiving each other as God has forgiven you through Christ.

GOD’S WORD Translation. (1995). (Eph 4:17–32). Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group.

CIRCUMSTANCES THAT PREPARE YOU FOR THE SUPERNATURAL

jesus-christ-on-boat-during-stormI don’t play the lottery but that is not to say when I hear of a gigantic jackpot my thoughts don’t drift to a world where endless supplies of money would change my circumstances dramatically. We have all experienced the weighty shifts of circumstance. For some of us when life’s circumstances turn for the worse our world seems more difficult and harder to bear spiritually as well as emotionally. But we have also experienced times when circumstances turn for the better and in those days joy is unquenchable and happiness abounds. In reality life is comprised of the ebb and flow of positive and negative circumstances; and while we may feel as if he have limited control over these shifts it is reassuring to know God is forever steady and certain in every season of life.

I’m reminded of the account when the disciples journeyed, with Jesus, across the Sea of Galilee when a sudden circumstance (natural storm) threatened their lives. No doubt the panic, fear and dread was palpable when they finally woke Jesus to make Him aware of their pending doom. In a powerful, but simple, declaration Jesus spoke, “Peace! Be still!” and the storm passed. Circumstances will always be apart of life and in the life of the Christian we must look at any circumstance as a God ordained moment. Listen carefully to what I am saying: I am not saying God ordained the storm. But what I am saying is that circumstances will draw us into God ordained moments. In any trial, tribulation or need God is always asking, Will you trust me? Do you not know I am with you in the boat? St. Paul encourages the church in Rome in a similar fashion when he tells them, “Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” (Romans 8:28 MSG)

Yesterday, today or perhaps some day in the near future we may find ourselves in circumstances we cannot comprehend, but the Spirit of God understands. God is continually bringing us through real life, people, circumstances and conditions that require our listening, obedience and understanding with the Holy Spirit. In any circumstance we should never attempt to “get out in front of God.” Remember, He is in “the boat” and therefore all your circumstances are in the hand of God.

But this thought is buy canada viagra purely wrong and this works fine as their branded counterpart can. A decreased estimations of tadalafil may be supported. cialis generic tabs Using an online pharmacy also order levitra online saves you time because you don’t have to visit different local drugstores to find the medicines you need. The causes of cialis online prices impotence are varied. So, when you discover a strange circumstance has “popped up” quickly find Jesus, pray in the Spirit and wait for Him to calm the storm. Remember Jesus is looking to perform a supernatural moment in your life to testify of His faithfulness, goodness and enduring love.

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA