Bible in a Year : Psalms 107109; 1 Corinthians 4
Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:24
Stephen grew up in a rough part of East London and fell into crime by the age of ten. He said, If everyones selling drugs and doing robberies and fraud, then youre going to get involved. Its just a way of life. But when he was twenty, he had a dream that changed him: I heard God saying, Stephen, youre going to prison for murder. This vivid dream served as a warning, and he turned to God and received Jesus as his Saviorand the Holy Spirit transformed his life.
Stephen set up an organization that teaches inner-city kids discipline, morality, and respect through sports. He credits God with the success he has seen as he prays with and trains the kids. Rebuilding misguided dreams, he says.
In pursuing God and leaving behind our past, welike Stephenfollow Pauls charge to the Ephesians to embrace a new way of life. Although our old self is corrupted by its deceitful desires, we can daily seek to put on the new self thats created to be like God (Ephesians 4:22, 24). All believers embrace this continual process as we ask God through His Holy Spirit to make us more like Him.
Stephen said, Faith was a crucial foundation for me changing my life around. How has this been true for you?
When you look back over your life, what comes to mind as key moments that prompted change? What long-lasting change resulted?
Jesus, Youre alive and working in the world and in my life. Help me become more like You day by day as I leave the old self behind.