#1457. Put on the New self which is like God (20/3/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.

Focussing on Ephesians 4:24, we reflect on what it means to ‘put on the new self, created to be like God. 

To watch this devotional, please select the link below:

1. Put on the new self

This command is not passive. The Christian life is not lazy or indifferent. It is not a life where we neglect prayer, Scripture, fellowship, and obedience.

Of course, it is the Holy Spirit who saves and sanctifies us. Yet this does not remove our responsibility. Repentance and faith are active realities. We are commanded to ‘put on the new self.’

Having been made ‘new in the attitude (Spirit) of [our] minds’ (v.23) -  having had our thinking reshaped by the Spirit - we are to apply what we know. Renewal leads to response.

Peter captures this balance beautifully. First, he reminds us that everything begins with God:

But immediately, he calls us to active pursuit:

God supplies the power  - we make every effort. His gifts are to be pursued in faith.

If we believe that the Spirit has given us new life and is renewing our minds, then we must actively seek to live it out.

2. The new self is like God

Paul gives us this extraordinary description of the new self:

The Holy Spirit is at work to make us like God — to shape our lives so that they increasingly reflect His character.

To be ‘righteous’ means to live in alignment with God’s will and Word.

To be ‘holy’ means to reflect His purity, goodness, and moral beauty.

This connects with what Peter writes about sharing in the “divine nature”:

God’s goal is not mere behaviour modification, but deep transformation. He is restoring His image in us.

As Ephesians 4 continues, this transformation becomes intensely practical. Putting on the new self means:

• Speaking truthfully (v.25)

• Handling anger rightly (v.26–27)

• Becoming generous instead of stealing (v.28)

• Using words to build up rather than tear down (v.29)

• Living in a way that honours the Holy Spirit and strengthens the church (v.30–32)

To ‘be like God’ is not abstract - it shows up in speech, relationships, money, attitudes, and community life.

Response

In the beginning, God created humanity in His image. That image has been marred by sin, but through Christ it is being restored by the Spirit.

Right now, God has begun a work of transformation in us - a work that will one day culminate in full restoration when we see Christ face to face.

So let us continue, prayerfully and actively, to put off the old self and put on the new. Let us pursue a life that reflects the character of God - in true righteousness and holiness.

And as we do, we will increasingly become what we were created to be.

Community Group Notes

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

2. Icebreaker

Something that builds relationships and confidence to share; it’s good to regularly use this moment to ask the group: How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a healthy balance between discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

On Sunday, we continued our series in Ephesians: To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God, focusing on Ephesians 4:17–24 and how we are to pursue the new life we have in Christ.

Please read Ephesians 4:17-24 and discuss:

1. Personal Reflection

• What stood out to you from Sunday’s message or this passage?

• Did the Spirit particularly impress anything on your heart?

Chapter 4 is taking us into application; having begun with how, as the body of Christ, we are to pursue unity and loving use our gifts to build one another up, he now insists we no longer live like those who don’t know Jesus. 

2. A new attitude to sex and relationships 

Verse 19, is about sexual sin - the reference to ‘greed’ is to be understood as having ‘an insatiable desire for more’. 

• Why is this especially important for us to hear in our culture?

• What does pursuing godliness in relationships look like in practice?

3. Be aware of deceitful desires 

• Verse 20, speaks of ‘deceitful desires’. Why must we not trust every thought or desire we experience?

• How do we learn to recognise what comes from the ‘old self’ - the flesh -  versus what comes from the Spirit?

4. Renewed minds by the Spirit

• We are  to pursue being ‘made new in the attitude (Spirit of) of your minds’;  how does dependence on the Spirit and personal effort work together for our transformation? 

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• Put on the new self: How does our ‘becoming like God’ lead to our becoming a light in this world? 

• Sharing Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing stories of how we’ve seen God at work through simple faithfulness.

• Practical Next Steps – Who might God be placing on your heart at this time? Are there any “people of peace” (see note) in your life—those who seem open, welcoming, or receptive to spiritual conversation?

Let’s Pray Together

Let’s pray for one another in light of what we’ve studied and bring any other needs before God.

• Pray for courage, wisdom, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in our Serve, Invest, and Invite opportunities.

• Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - that God would open hearts and deepen relationships.

• General prayer: From our study, or from personal needs, how do people want prayer?