Pastor Tricia's Ramblings

Have you ever looked at your life and wished you could hit the reset button? Maybe it was after a mistake that seemed to define you. Maybe it was after a season where you wandered further from God than you ever thought possible. Or maybe it’s simply the weight of the “old you” that creeps up at unexpected times, whispering that you’ll never change.

The good news of the gospel is this: in Christ, you can have a do-over. Not just a second chance to try harder, but a brand-new start with a brand-new identity. Ephesians 4:22–24 puts it this way:

“Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

This is the heartbeat of the Christian life—Jesus not only forgives us, He transforms us. He wipes the slate clean, declares us not guilty, pays our debt in full, and then calls us into a new life. Let’s dig into what that really means for us today.

The Old Life: What We Leave Behind

Paul begins by reminding the believers in Ephesus of what their old lives looked like.

He says:

“You must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God…” (Ephesians 4:17–18).

Before Christ, our lives were marked by futility. We were spiritually blind, trying to fill a God-shaped void with temporary things—success, approval, relationships, possessions. But no matter what we tried, it didn’t satisfy. It was like drinking seawater: the more we drank, the thirstier we became.

I remember once meeting a man who had everything the world could offer—money, status, even fame in his small town. But he confessed to me over coffee that he still felt empty inside. His words were haunting: “It feels like I’m living, but not alive.” That’s exactly what Paul describes—life apart from God looks like living, but it isn’t real life.

The New Life: Who We Become in Christ

The gospel doesn’t just patch up the old version of you. It makes you new. Paul tells us in verse 24:

“…to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Think of it like this: when you come to Christ, you don’t just get your record erased, you get a whole new identity. You’re no longer a slave to sin—you’re a child of God (Romans 8:15). You’re no longer defined by failure—you’re clothed in Christ’s righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). You’re no longer walking in darkness—you’ve been brought into marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).

This isn’t a “try harder” Christianity. It’s not about pulling yourself up by your bootstraps and saying, “I’m going to be a better person from now on.” This is about surrender. Christ changes you from the inside out.

The Daily Battle: Renewing the Mind

But if we’re honest, even after salvation, we still feel the tug of our old selves, don’t we?

Paul says in Romans 12:2:

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”

Renewal is not a one-time event. It’s a daily choice. You and I must wake up every morning and decide what we’re going to feed our minds and our hearts.

My youth pastor used to say: “Garbage in, garbage out.” If you constantly feed on gossip, bitterness, and worldly entertainment, don’t be surprised when that’s what overflows from your life. But if you feed on God’s Word, prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers, then the fruit of your life will look more like Christ.

Think of it like gardening. If you plant tomato seeds, you won’t get apples. If you plant weeds, you won’t get flowers. The seed you nourish determines the fruit you produce. The same is true spiritually.

The Cost of Change: Free but Not Cheap

Here’s the paradox: salvation is absolutely free, but living as a disciple will cost you everything.

Paul says to put off the old self—that means we lay something down. And he says to put on the new self—that means we pick something up.

That takes intentionality. You don’t stumble into holiness by accident. You don’t drift into spiritual maturity. You must choose to walk daily in step with the Spirit.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” That death is the death of the old self. It’s painful at times. It means saying no to things that used to define you. It means refusing to go along with the world when it contradicts God’s Word. But the trade-off is worth it—life in Christ is far better than anything the world offers.

Practical Steps to Walk in the New Life

Paul gets very specific in Ephesians 4:25–32 about what this new life looks like. It’s not just abstract—it’s practical. Let’s break it down:

1. Speak truth, not lies (v. 25). Honesty builds community. Lies destroy it. Ask yourself: do my words reflect Christ’s truth?
2. Handle anger righteously (vv. 26–27). Anger itself isn’t sin, but letting it fester is. Don’t let bitterness grow. Deal with conflict quickly.
3. Work honestly and generously (v. 28). We don’t work just to make money—we work so that we can bless others.
4. Build up with your words (v. 29). Words can either poison or heal. Do your conversations leave people closer to Jesus?
5. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit (v. 30). When we live contrary to God’s will, it grieves the Spirit who dwells in us.
6. Put away bitterness, wrath, and slander (v. 31). The old self lashes out. The new self lays these down.
7. Be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving (v. 32). Why? Because Christ forgave us first. Our forgiveness of others flows out of His forgiveness of us.

This is a picture of a life transformed—not perfect, but surrendered.

Living It Out Today

So, what does this mean for us practically?

It means we take inventory of our lives. What needs to be laid down? Maybe it’s a habit that has clung too tightly. Maybe it’s bitterness you’ve held onto for years. Maybe it’s the quiet compromises that nobody else sees but God knows about.

And then ask: what do I need to pick up? Maybe it’s daily Scripture reading. Maybe it’s getting connected with a small group of believers who will encourage you. Maybe it’s using your gifts to serve in the church or community.

It also means we keep short accounts with God. When we stumble—and we will—we confess quickly, repent, and step forward in grace. Remember, the old you has been crucified with Christ. You are not trying to “resurrect” that old self. You are learning to live more and more out of the new identity Christ has given you.

Conclusion: Are You Ready to Step Into the New?

Paul’s words in Ephesians 4 are both challenging and hopeful. They remind us that the Christian life is not just about being forgiven but about being transformed. The old is gone. The new has come.

But transformation doesn’t just “happen.” It’s a daily surrender. It’s a choice to renew your mind, to guard your heart, to lay down the old, and to put on the new.

So let me ask you: are you ready to live in that new identity today?

Are you ready to not just believe in Jesus but to let Him reshape every part of your life?

The slate has been wiped clean. The debt has been paid in full. You are free to live as a child of God—clothed in righteousness, walking in holiness, and reflecting Christ in a world desperate for hope.

The question is: will you walk in the new life He has given you?