Don’t Put Your Dirty Clothes Back On

“…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.”

EPHESIANS 4:22-24

Sweaty, stinky workout tees.
Food-stained shirts.
Mud-encrusted jeans.

All these things are stewing together in my dirty clothes pile right now.  I wouldn’t dream of putting any of these items on today.  Not one. 

Blech!

But how many times do we behave in a way that is unbecoming to us as believers, repent, and then reach right back into the dirty clothes basket and act the same way again? Probably more than we care to admit.

In the NET Bible Ephesians 4:22 says “…lay aside the old man who is being corrupted…” This is us sometimes. Old and corrupted living with dirty, junky habits that keep us from becoming who we are called to be in Christ.

Here’s the truth: we all struggle with something. It may be an addiction, a bad relationship, or a mindset that is unhealthy. No one is immune but some have learned we don’t have to continue on like this. We can be not only forgiven but also renewed.

Through his work on the cross, Jesus made a different way for us. He made it possible for us to put our old ways aside, remove the old, reeking stuff we’ve been running around in, and dump it into the hamper. We don’t have to pick it back up. We can have victory over diving back into the pile of dirty clothes.

Because we have been renewed. Through the act of repentance, we have been given the opportunity to be renewed. We’ve been offered a new nature that is holy and righteous.

The Holy Spirit makes us new. Through our repentance and Christ’s sacrifice, we can have new thoughts and attitudes that permeate our minds and our hearts. We just have to accept it.

Like putting on clean clothes after a refreshing shower, we can put on a new nature and leave the old behind. We can live with confidence as new creatures.

Whatever it is that you struggle with – God can do a great work in your life.  He can and will wash you clean, prepare you to wear new clothes, clean clothes. Clothes that are befitting of a child of the king.

Don’t dive back into your dirty clothes. Live renewed!

What “dirty clothes” do you struggle to leave behind in the pile?

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash