Topic: A New Man — Wednesday December 13, 2017.
Text: Ephesians 4:20-32
Key Verse: “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:22,24).
The story was told of a man who did not know Christ. He was a petty thief, picking his neighbours’ dresses once they were washed and spread on the cloth line to dry. He had stolen a neighbour’s expensive shirt and denied he ever saw it. Soon after, the house was sold and every tenant was asked to leave. Later, he heard the gospel and gave his life to Christ. He went out one day to evangelise with a partner and met his former neighbour.
He immediately introduced Christ to the man who gazed intently on the evangelist’s shirt. He pointed out this discovery to the evangelist who promptly acknowledged the theft, broke down and wept and asked for forgiveness. Being born again means becoming a new person. It is a mystery. Old things pass away and all things become new. The new birth experience must affect our entire lifestyle, the totality of our conduct. This must be evident to all around us. The redeemed becomes a new man serving a new Master, Jesus Christ, having parted ways with Satan.
He thereafter lives to please Christ and Him alone. When he is offended, he readily forgives ‘even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven us’. He cuts off all links that can lead to old sinful habits, develops hatred for those sins which he wantonly committed before, and readily returns items stolen from people or place of work. The new life in Christ is beautiful, refreshing, fulfilling and incomparable with anything else. “For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver or gold… but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18,19). The new life is a treasure greater than silver or gold. Anyone who has not tasted it should repent of sin and be reconciled with God. Everyone thus saved must abide in the experience to ultimately enter into a glorious eternity with God.
Thought for the day: Looking for the greatest miracle? Try the new birth.
Bible Reading in one Year: Revelation 1-3
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.