Phil Rowlands

Hello, my friends!

Today, I want to share with you a powerful message about transformation in our Christian walk. As believers, we are called to put off the old and put on the new – to exchange our grave clothes for grace clothes. This isn't just about behaviour modification; it's about embracing our new identity in Christ and allowing His life to shine through us.

Friends, picture a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. The transformation from caterpillar to butterfly is complete, yet sometimes the butterfly struggles to break free from the remnants of its old shell. In those moments, it might be tempted to remain in the familiar confines of the chrysalis, even though it's designed for a new life of flight. In the same way, when we come to Christ, we're given a new nature – we're transformed from the inside out. But sometimes, we can find ourselves still clinging to the remnants of our old self – habits and behaviours that don't reflect our new life in Jesus. Just as the butterfly must break free to experience the full beauty of its transformation, we need to shed our old ways and embrace the freedom and potential of our new identity in Christ.

The apostle Paul addresses this beautifully in Ephesians 4. He urges us to “put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24). This isn't about striving in our own strength, but about living out the reality of who we already are in Christ.

Let's look at some practical examples Paul gives us. He says, “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbour” (Ephesians 4:25). Lying and deceit belong to our old nature, but as new creations in Christ, we're called to walk in truth. Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). When we embrace our identity in Him, truthfulness becomes our natural expression.

Paul goes on to address anger, saying, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26-27). Uncontrolled anger is part of our old nature, but in Christ, we have the fruit of the Spirit, which includes patience and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). We're empowered to deal with our emotions in a way that reflects God's character.

Friends, consider how Paul addresses the issue of stealing: “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labour, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need” (Ephesians 4:28). Notice how he doesn't just say “stop stealing,” but he provides a positive alternative – working honestly and being generous. This is a key principle in putting off the old and putting on the new. We don't just stop negative behaviours; we replace them with Christlike actions.

The same principle applies to our speech. Paul exhorts us, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29). Our words have the power to bring life or death (Proverbs 18:21). As believers, we're called to use our speech to edify others and impart grace.

Now, you might be wondering, “How do I actually do this? How do I put off these old habits and put on the new?” It's a great question, and one that many Christians struggle with. Some might suggest a crisis experience, thinking we need a dramatic encounter to break free from old patterns. Others might blame demons for every struggle, seeking deliverance as the solution. Still others might advocate for self-affliction or a passive “let go and let God” approach.

But friends, Paul gives us a different way. He says, “But that is not the way you learned Christ!” (Ephesians 4:20). The key is not in our own efforts or in waiting passively, but in truly knowing and embracing who we are in Christ. We don't need to manufacture new behaviours; we need to put on the new self that God has already given us in Christ.

This is radically different from mere moralism or behaviour modification. We're not just trying to clean up our act; we're living out of a new nature. As Paul says in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

The beautiful truth is that in Christ, we have everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). When we struggle with impatience, we can remember that we have the patience of Christ within us. When we battle with impure thoughts, we can affirm that we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). When we're tempted to be stingy, we can recall that we have the generous nature of Christ, who though He was rich, for our sake became poor (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Here's a powerful secret: the way to put off the old is to focus on putting on the new. As Paul says, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). It's like the way new leaves on a tree naturally push off the old ones. As we embrace and live out our new identity in Christ, the old patterns naturally fall away.

Friends, this journey of transformation isn't about striving harder or beating ourselves up over our failures. It's about believing and living out the truth of who we are in Christ. As we do this, we'll find ourselves naturally laying aside “every weight, and sin which clings so closely” and running with endurance the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2).

In Colossians 3:9-10, Paul writes, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Notice the tense here – it's not something we're waiting to do, but something that has already happened in Christ. Our job now is to live out this reality.

Think about it like this: when you get dressed in the morning, you don't focus on taking off your pyjamas. Your attention is given to putting on your new clothes for the day. In the same way, our focus shouldn't be on constantly battling against our old nature, but on putting on Christ and walking in His ways.

This doesn't mean the process is always easy or instant. Paul uses the phrase “being renewed” in Colossians 3:10, indicating an ongoing process. But the key is that God is the one doing the renewing as we fix our eyes on Jesus and walk in the Spirit.

Friends, have you ever noticed how when you're fully engaged in serving others or using your spiritual gifts, you're less likely to fall into old sinful patterns? That's because you can't serve two masters at once. As we give ourselves fully to the things of God, the old ways naturally lose their appeal and power over us.

This is why Paul encourages us in Romans 13:14 to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” It's a proactive approach. We don't just try not to sin; we actively pursue Christ and His righteousness.

Consider the story of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. When he came out of the tomb, he was still bound in grave clothes. Jesus had to command, “Unbind him, and let him go” (John 11:44). In the same way, though we've been made alive in Christ, we sometimes need help removing the 'grave clothes' of our old life. This is where the body of Christ comes in – we help each other walk in our new identity.

Now, you might be thinking, “But I still struggle with sin. Does this mean I'm not really saved?” Not at all! Remember, Paul himself spoke of his ongoing struggle with sin in Romans 7. The difference is that now, in Christ, we have the power to overcome. We're no longer slaves to sin, but free to choose righteousness.

Friends, it's crucial to understand that this putting off of the old and putting on of the new isn't about earning God's favour. We already have His favour in Christ! It's about living out the reality of who we already are in Him. As we do this, we become a powerful witness to the world of the transforming power of the gospel.

Let me illustrate this with a common scenario many believers face. Consider a Christian who struggles with anger issues. They might try everything – self-help books, anger management techniques, even fasting and prayer. But nothing seems to work long-term. It's not until they truly grasp their identity in Christ – that they are loved, accepted, and complete in Him – that things begin to change. As they focus on putting on Christ's patience and love, the anger issues begin to fade. It's not an overnight change, but a gradual transformation as they learn to walk in their new identity. This process exemplifies how understanding our position in Christ and actively putting on the new self can lead to lasting change in areas where we once felt defeated.

Be blessed today, my brothers and sisters. Remember that you are a new creation in Christ. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). Embrace your new identity, put on your grace clothes, and watch as God's life shines through you in ways you never thought possible. May you walk worthy of the calling to which you have been called, fully clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Let the reality of who you are in Jesus permeate every aspect of your life, transforming you from the inside out. As you do, you'll find that the old grave clothes simply don't fit anymore, and you'll delight in wearing the beautiful garments of grace that Christ has provided.

Phil