Paul writes much about newness and I also remember the present time is like ‘seeing in a mirror dimly, but then I will know fully’ (I Cor 13:12). So we are to lay aside the old self (old manner of life), corrupted with lusts of deceit. We are renewed in the spirit of our mind then can put on the new self. Don’t you have days that feel like being trapped in a cage of old habits? You ask for the mind of Christ and get your old mind making quick decisions that may not end well. Eph 4:24 landed like a thud for me today. That we are made in the image of God is clear from the creation account but parts of us are in true rebellion from the day of our birth, “And put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in RIGHTEOUSNESS and HOLINESS of the truth”. Truth, in the next few verses, is at the root of righteousness and holiness. God is truthful and wants us to be truthful as a foundation to righteousness and holiness and then it can be woven into our lives. Kick falsehood to the curb as soon as we know it is false. We hear of white lies vs lies. It doesn’t matter what we call it, it is non-truth. Exaggeration does not represent the truth – it is also non-truth as is innuendo. Truth is accurate and not relative. That is our biggest cultural challenge with the “my truth” league. My truth can never be a foundation to righteousness and holiness but quite the opposite. Part of our image is that, because God is truth, we desire truth. This quality, with love, is to be desired above all else. I wouldn’t lie to you!
