Put on the new man — live who you are.
Good morning. Today’s verse is Ephesians 4:24: “…and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”
Paul never tells us to become the new man.
He tells us to put on the new man.
Why?
Because the new man is already who we are in Christ.
Putting on the new man is not self-improvement.
It is not behavior modification.
It is not trying harder.
It is choosing to live in the identity God has already given us.
The old man is corrupt, deceitful, and powerless.
The new man is righteous, holy, and Spirit-empowered.
The old man belongs to Adam.
The new man belongs to Christ.
The old man reacts.
The new man responds.
The old man strives.
The new man rests.
And here is the freedom of grace:
Putting on the new man is not living under obligation, pressure, or fear.
It is the liberty of grace — the freedom to live out what Christ has already made true.
Rules and rituals cannot restrain the old man.
They cannot stop sinful thoughts or produce godliness.
Only the Spirit, working through the truth of the gospel of grace, can transform us from the inside out.
Putting on the new man is the daily, Spirit-empowered choice to align your thoughts, desires, and actions with who you truly are in Christ. It is saying “no” to the old nature that still resides within you and “yes” to the new nature God has created in you.
This is not a one-time decision.
It is a lifelong practice — learning, through Paul’s teachings, to walk in the liberty of grace, to set your mind on things above, and to live out the new desires God has placed within you.
And as you put on the new man, use your freedom to love and serve others — not out of requirement, but out of gratitude for what God has done for you in Christ Jesus.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Eph 4:24.
Now that we’ve explored who we are in Christ and how we walk in the Spirit, we’re ready to take the next step — learning how to live by grace, not by works. Beginning tomorrow, we’ll start a new series: “Living by Grace — Paul’s Pattern for the Christian Life.”
Meditation:
Lord, help me put on the new man today — to live from the identity You have given me.
Reflection Question:
What part of your day needs the new man’s response instead of the old man’s reaction?