Thrown Off and Made New
Be encouraged by today’s Scripture reflection and prayer.
Today's Scripture
Ephesians 4:28 (KJV)
“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”
Reflection
Do you know someone who professes faith in Jesus Christ, but if you did not know them personally, the testimony of their life might say otherwise? Or maybe this feels closer to home. Perhaps there are things in your own life that you have not fully thrown off because they feel comfortable or still serve you in some way. Anger, lying, stealing, these are only examples Paul used because they were real struggles in the church at Ephesus.
Paul does not address these sins to shame believers, but to remind them of who they now belong to. Was Christ a liar? No. Was He a thief? No. And if we are in Him, we are no longer meant to live as we once did. Following Jesus means leaving behind the old patterns that once defined us.
That is why Paul’s words are so powerful here. The thief is not only told to stop stealing. He is told to work, and not just to provide for himself, but to give to those in need. This is what real transformation looks like. God does not simply remove sinful behavior. He replaces it with purpose. What once took now gives. What once served self now serves others.
This change is not about proving ourselves righteous. It flows from being made new. Ephesians 4:24 reminds us that we are created after God in righteousness and true holiness. We are being reshaped to reflect Him. When that happens, fruit becomes visible.
There is an old gospel song that says, “When I look back over my life and I think things over, I can truly say that I’ve been blessed, I have a testimony.” That testimony is not just about what I do. It is about transformation. It is the evidence of a new life shaped by Christ Himself. God does not leave us as we were, nor does He merely adjust our behavior. He creates something new. As we walk in that new identity, the fruit of righteousness begins to appear, not as a performance, but as a reflection of the God we now belong to.
Today's Prayer
Father God,
Thank You for not leaving me as I was. Thank You for the new life You have given me in Christ. Help me to put off the old ways that no longer belong to who I am in You. Shape my heart so that my actions reflect Your righteousness and love. Let my life be a testimony of Your transforming grace, not my own effort.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Before You Go
Take a moment to reflect. Are there areas in your life that do not reflect Christ yet? What does your testimony look like to those who see your life up close? These are not questions meant to bring guilt, but to invite growth.
Life in Christ is about living from the new life He has given us. Paul reminds us that change is not only seen in what we leave behind, but in what begins to grow in its place. When Christ renews the heart, our actions begin to reflect His character in real and practical ways. He is the One who truly transforms from the inside out, and He is faithful to continue that work in us.
Walking in Your New Life
Ephesians 4:28 reminds us that when we come to Christ, we are made new. Our past does not define us, and our lives can reflect His love, purpose, and redemption. If today’s devotional encouraged your heart, these posts can help you explore what it means to live fully transformed in Him.
Want to understand who you are in Christ?
Discover the freedom and purpose that comes from embracing your true identity in Him.
👉 Identity in Christ
https://exhortationsfortoday.com/identity-in-christ/
Need a reminder that God redeems every life?
Rahab’s story shows that no past is too far gone for God’s transformative power. Her life stands as a testimony of faith, redemption, and new beginnings.
👉 Rahab in the Bible
https://exhortationsfortoday.com/rahab-in-the-bible/
