Put on the new self

Today's reading comes from the book of 1 Peter. All of today's readings can be found here.

"Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy." - 1 Peter 1:10-16 (ESV)

Paul talks about putting on the 'new self' many times throughout his epistles, though most notably in Colossians 3 (see also Romans 6 and Ephesians 4). His argument is that because our sinful nature has died with Christ, we now are free to embrace the new heart for holiness we are given (Ezekiel 36) and pursue the righteousness of Christ wholly. We are no longer a slave to sin, and indeed there is 'no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus' (Romans 8:1). So why do we constantly look back to the life that we lived in sin and desire things of this world? If we truly are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), why are our hearts so easily enticed and brought back to our former life of sin?

Imagine with me for an instant a newlywed husband that approaches his wife on their honeymoon with a honest and open question; "Honey, if I ever were to cheat on you, would you forgive me?" Full of love and compassion, the wife answers "Yes, of course. I would be disappointed, but I would forgive you if you repented." Does the man then breathe a sigh of relief and decide to pursue extramarital affairs because his wife said it was ok? By no means! That would be sick, and an absolute perversion of his wife's grace! Such it is with believers who decide that in the light of unconditional grace they are free to sin. I would argue that people who take that position are not believers at all, because they do not truly love He who justified them in the first place. As Peter says in this passage, we are to "be Holy, for [He] is Holy."

The regenerational grace of our Lord at the time of conversion is the means by which we are given a new heart - one that at its deepest part desires Holiness, not sin. If you search your heart and find not only conflicted desires due to your sinful nature, but a whole-hearted desire for sin - you need to doubt your salvation. The life that you lived in ignorance is in the past, and you are now resurrected with Christ in order that you may pursue the righteousness that He desires. So "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct"! Look to the Father for your strength and put off the old self, denying totally and unconditionally the life that you lived in sin, and trade it for a life of Holiness in Christ. This is the calling and mark of a Christian, and what the Father desires of all His children.

Practically what does this mean? I can tell you personally that I struggle with this on a daily basis. I can pinpoint exactly what my life would look like if Christ had not saved me, right down to where I would be and who I would be associating with, but that is not me. It is the old self, and the self that Christ has taught me to deny for the life that He now gives me in Him. Yet, I constantly look back at it and find myself thinking thoughts and doing deeds out of line with my new self, and in line with who I was. But it is not who I am anymore! So why oh why do I still look back and desire that life? It is because of my sinful nature, something that will be gone when I am glorified on the last day but that still has latent effect on me today. The only proper weapon we have against this foothold of satan in our lives is the redeeming power of Christ, and it is what we must cling to fresh every day if we are to live this life as He intended. Do not be disillusioned - we are fighting a spiritual battle every day against who we used to be and the sin that is in our hearts, but in Jesus we have the power to overcome, and to be holy as He is holy. So look to He who is holy, and ascribe to be the same, for this is what He desires of you and the path to true joy in this life and the next.

Father of mercy, forgive me my sins. I screw it up so badly every day, but you give me more grace. Father give me the strength to overcome this my sin, and to put on the new self afresh and more fully every day, that I may be called a child of the Most High and bring you glory in all that I do. To you be all the glory, honor, and praise forevermore. Amen.


-MD Letteney