< Back

Read: Ephesians 4:17-24
Listen: Ephesians 4

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; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

The Apostle Paul reminds the early church about what Jesus has done. He teaches them that they are able, through God’s power, to put off the old ways that lead them into sin. And then put on their new selves that were transformed by Jesus when they accepted what he did for them on the cross.

Taking off the old life involves naming counterfeit gods and recognizing their limitations to completely meet our needs. Often, a counterfeit god is something we believe will give us meaning, value, significance or security. We think if we could just have it, we would be okay. Once we name it, we can replace this counterfeit god with the one true God. Trying to make it go away won’t work. Instead, we focus on God by consistently reading, learning and memorizing Scripture and through prayer and sharing Christian life with other believers. Focusing on God causes us to love him more. Our taste for counterfeit gods will be replaced by a desire for the real God to fill our hearts.

TODAY: The Spiritual disciplines mentioned above turn us toward God and away from false gods. One spiritual discipline we’re doing together this year is seeing Jesus in the Old Testament. You can join in right now by following the Scripture reading plan at the end of each Beyond the Weekend.

JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

Read Isaiah 11-13. Highlight anything that points to Jesus. Note the details about the branch from Jesse.