A TOTAL TRANSFORMATION

STAND UP: DARE TO TRIUMPH DAILY OVER OPPOSITION ARMED WITH GOD’S ARSENAL OF SPIRITUAL WEAPONS (20 DAYS IN EPHESIANS) - DAY 11

Years ago, I sat down with a group of friends to watch a movie where a teenage girl named Mia learns that she is actually a princess by birth. In order to assume her noble persona, the awkward heiress to the throne is regularly schooled in the ways of royalty by her grandmother, a graceful queen. As the plot unraveled, the adolescent struggled to fully adopt her new identity as a public servant and let go of her previous self-centered outlook on life. Filled with doubt, she simply does not see herself as an aristocratic leader. However, by the closing credits, a confident young woman had come to a new understanding of her purpose and wore her crown with a quiet resolve. Her renewed perspective lead to a total transformation.

In his letter to the new believers in Ephesus, Paul serves as a mentor to the fledgling Christ followers who were floundering in their mission. He challenges his charges to walk differently than the world. Those who have “learned Christ” are “created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:20, Ephesians 4:24) No longer should we walk in the darkness and live corrupted by evil desires. (Ephesians 4:17, Ephesians 4:22) When we receive the Word, the Holy Spirit totally transforms our thinking to help us live right. (Romans 8:5-6) We are made a new creation, and this internal rebirth impacts what we value and how we respond in every situation:

· We adopt a Christ-like mindset. Instead of pridefully following our own futile thinking, we listen and learn from Christ’s humble example. (Ephesians 4:17, Ephesians 4:20, Philippians 2:1-8)

· We surrender to God’s will. Rather than harden our hearts to the Truth, we openly receive the Word of the Lord and align our actions to what He says is right and holy. (Ephesians 4:18, Ephesians 4:24; James 1:21-22)

· We pursue a holy purpose. Contrary to the reckless sensuality of the world, we consecrate our whole being to please God and commit to personal purity. (2 Corinthians 7:1, I John 3:2-3)

The enemy of our souls wants us to continue to live clothed in the flesh and controlled by our fallen nature, but those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 3:24) Friend, you may not feel like an heir to righteousness, but you are clothed in garments of salvation as a child of the King of Kings. (Isaiah 61:10) Christ who lived completely sinless became sin so that you could be clothed in His righteousness. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Daily, we decide if we will put on Christ and make no provision for the flesh. (Romans 13:14) We can either live for ourselves or lay our all down on the altar of sacrifice. (Romans 12:2) Let’s purpose to open up God’s Word with surrendered hearts today. As we cry out to our Father for wisdom, He will renew our understanding and totally transform us from within.