ESTABLISH YOUR HEART IN JESUS Blog 2
PUTTING ON THE NEW SELF
Last spring I was working outside in my garden here in S.W. Canada, and it was pouring rain all day. I actually enjoyed it, but I got muddy from head to toe. When I came inside I took off my muddy boots, my muddy jacket, my muddy gloves, and my muddy pants. I had a shower, and then put on clean clothes for being in the house. I put off and I put on, and that just about sums up our walk with Jesus, but it is a lot more powerful and life-giving than it sounds.
Before we continue, I want to point out a paradox in this putting off and putting on so you are very clear about what we’re looking at. If you are born again, your old self is dead (Galatians 2:20), and your new self is alive in Christ (Colossians 1: 27b). Simple, take it by faith!!
But we are left with a question: if our old self is already dead, and our new self is already alive and well within, why do we still have to continually put off the old self, and put on the new self?
The answer is because we need to fulfill the principals of faith and choice by intentionally putting away thoughts, words and deeds that are not in line with our new self in Jesus, and intentionally establishing our new identity in Jesus. Look at these verses:
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding [a]in it with thanksgiving (Colossians 2: 6, 7).
1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1,2
So we might say in the morning; “Lord, here I am. I will use my mind to see myself as saved, healed, and delivered, and I will use my body to perform good works, not to earn favour, but as an expression of my new nature within.”
An effective way for renewing the mind is through Bible meditation. Look at this amazing promise: Psalms 1:1-3
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
(see also Joshua 1:8)
WHAT IS MEDITATION?
Meditation is like a cow laying comfortably under a tree chewing it’s cud.
Meditation means to imagine, chew, ponder, consider…
Meditation can bring our heart to a place of hope and faith
A note about imagination:
Some think it is wrong to imagine because every time the word imagination is used in the Bible there is a negative connotation with it. However, the word for positive imagination was always translated as hope in the Bible. Hope in the Bible means “a confident expectation of good things”. It is impossible to not imagine. We were created to use our imagination so we could build things that have never been built before, or simply plan a camping trip. Like anything, it’s how we use our imagination. So I encourage you to establish your heart in Christ by renewing your mind. Here is one short sentence from Colossians 1:27b that will get you started:
“Christ in you (me) the hope of glory.” (Personalise it)
HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS TO HELP FOR A SUCCESSFUL MEDITATION TIME:
Set aside specific time each morning & evening 5 days a week
After starting with just 5 or 10 minutes, you’ll eventually find 40 minutes going by quickly
Meditate as soon as possible after waking up, and before coffee
meditate on the particular scripture verse for several weeks or until it has impacted your heart deeply
find a comfortable quiet place to sit
plant your feet firmly on the floor
calm your mind and body
declare with intention: “This is a special time for establishing my heart in Jesus.”
Emphasis and ponder each word in the verse
I encourage you to Google IDENTITY IN CHRIST. You’ll be able to find long lists of scriptures telling you who you are, and what you have in Jesus! It is amazing, you’ll be so encouraged and built up (Colossians 2: 6, 7).
Check back each month or so for new BLOGS.
Blessings.
Errol