Day 269

Isaiah 48:12–50:11; Ephesians 4:17-32; Psalm 69:1-18; Proverbs 24:5-6

IT’S POPULAR THESE days to consider how to be the “best version” of ourselves. It’s great marketing, really. If you can be convinced that a product or service will bring you closer to the best version of yourself, why wouldn’t you want it?

In Ephesians today, Paul talked about the best version of ourselves by first discussing what it’s not. Here’s what he said:

Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.

According to Paul, a closed mind and a hard heart is not the way forward. Paul’s entire premise throughout his ministry was that faith is the activator for renewal and that faith is the only path that will lead us to God. True faith requires that we believe with our whole heart. A closed mind and a hard heart will not get us there. This is not who we were created to be.

So how do we move toward the best version of ourselves? Paul’s counsel for each of us is to “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).

If we want to literally break Paul’s words down, we would say “to put on our new nature —or self —created after the likeness of God.” That this is even theoretically possible is overwhelming. Through faith, we can put on a new nature. And not just any nature. A new nature created to be like God —truly righteous and holy.

Let that sink in for a moment because the implications are unfathomable. We’re speaking of a fully restored humanity created in God’s image.

Although we cannot give ourselves a new nature, we can receive one from God. This is what being made new through faith is. Though we can’t make this happen of our own accord, we certainly must collaborate. Paul told us how in Ephesians 4:25-32: Tell the truth, don’t let anger control you, don’t steal, work hard, give generously, don’t use foul language, encourage others, don’t be bitter, be kind, and forgive as God through Christ has forgiven you.

As we live this way, we can “let the Spirit renew [our] thoughts and attitudes.” In other words, we can allow the Holy Spirit to remind us of who we were created to be. When we engage in anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness, we are not choosing the best version of ourselves.

The alternative would be a strange attempt at resurrecting an old and dead nature that is not truly righteous and holy and is in no way like God. Which version of yourself do you want to be?

There truly is a best version of ourselves. It’s not a marketing ploy, and it is available, according to Paul. But the best version of ourselves will only be revealed as we put on our new nature, created to be like God —truly righteous and holy. This happens when we become more aware of the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our lives, which is everywhere, if we’re paying attention. But we have to be present. Stay present to the Holy Spirit today. This is choosing the best version of yourself.

MEDITATION:

Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.