Get Rid of the Old Stuff

Prayer – Lord. I don’t want to bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit by anything that I think, say, or do—by how I live. Thank you for the guarantee—the promise—that I will be saved on the day of salvation. I am eternally grateful for the forgiveness of my sins. Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. 

Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. ... And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:21-24, 30-32

 

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.

 

There is such a big push lately to “declutter” and downsize—at least for those of retirement age. Declutter! I’ve got a couple of rooms full of stuff to get rid of—and yard sales don’t seem to be the way to do it. Just divide up everything into “donate,” “discard,” and “relocate” bags. Seems simple—right, but it takes time, energy, and determination to get the job even started. I’m not a “hoarder” but if I don’t deal with this stuff now then my family will have to after I’m gone…and they will label some of these treasures as stuff that was “hoarded” from generations past! Treasures?! We are supposed to store up our treasures in Heaven—not here on earth where moths and rust can destroy them! Gotta get our priorities in line! Are you “downsizing” and “decluttering” stuff here…and in your spiritual life?

 

Paul was teaching the believers in Ephesus that they needed to “declutter” their lives by giving up old stuff like bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. What good advice. All those things can mess up relationships with others around you and with God Himself.  The author of Hebrews also provided some helpful instruction:

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Hebrews 12:14-15

Actually, over and over throughout the Old and New Testaments in 141 verses (NLT) we are directed to “be holy.” God wants us to be pure, to be holy like He is holy. Did you catch the warning...those who are not holy will not see the Lord? We need to be mindful of our actions...the way we live.

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. Ephesians 1:4

Part of being pure and holy is forgiving others, as Paul wrote in our focus verses today.

…be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

We have been forgiven so much. Jesus spoke about forgiveness several times—once right after teaching His Disciples the Lord’s Prayer.

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15

Forgiveness is an important step towards loving God and loving others. It is a choice that we each have to make. To get rid of the old stuff is to forgive. Can you do that?

Verse of Salvation ~ For God says, "At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you." Indeed, the "right time" is now. Today is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

 

© 2024 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

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