When we first believe God does not patch up or remodel our old self; instead, he gives us a new self, made in his image, and that new self overcomes the old self as we abide in Christ. Yet, he does not wipe out our core personality and gifts, rather they are all redesigned within the image of our new self. It is a mystery as to how God preserves these parts of us yet also creates a new self in which these parts will develop.
Our new self desires what is good and desires to participate in what is good. When our new self sees good it recognizes it as beautiful and so is drawn to it. Our new self is good because it reflects God and has the same human nature that Jesus has: Jesus’ human nature and our new human nature are both created in the image of God (Col. 1:15 and Eph. 4:24). This restores God’s original plan for us. Remember that when God finished creating the universe, he declared that it was “very good” (Gen. 1:31) which included the nature he gave to Adam and Eve. Our new self has this goodness so we are drawn like a magnet to good. Thus, when we see Jesus with the eyes of our heart, we realize that he is the highest good; he is the “good shepherd” (John 10:11). Thus, Jesus is irresistible to our new self.
It is helpful to think of your new self as an infant who is becoming an adult. Paul was disappointed when his children did not grow up. In 1 Corinthians 3:1 Paul says his readers are “mere infants in Christ” (NIV). In Hebrews 5:12-13 the author exclaims: “You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness” (NIV).
We may not be infants in Christ anymore, but when it comes to areas of new growth our new self is like a child who needs great attention. We need to feed and nurture this child. We need to be very sensitive to its fears and needs. We need to protect it. We need to pay attention to its cries. We need to bathe it and wash its clothes so it doesn’t get swallowed up in filth. We need to teach it how to become strong. It is a commitment that consumes our mind, will and emotions like raising a human child. But this is not to be anxious striving; rather, it is a challenging and rewarding pursuit.
Can you sense your new self? (Hint: it is the part of you that desires God in Christ.) Are you developing the practice of letting your new self make your decisions, rather than your old self?
Next week we will present an exercise for living from the new self.
