Daily Devotion

“Issachar J. Roberts (1802–1871) was an American Baptist missionary. In 1847 Hong Xiuquan studied with him in Canton for about two months and asked for baptism, but Roberts did not baptize him. In 1860 Roberts went to the Taiping capital at Nanjing and was dismayed to find that the Taiping beliefs departed widely from his own Christianity; he broke with Hong's court and left in January 1862, and thereafter was fiercely critical of the Taiping.”

Wikipedia · Wikipedia, "Issachar Jacox Roberts"

Scripture

Ephesians 4:22-24 You shall put off your old self, which is in accordance with your former way of life, and which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; you shall be renewed in the spirit of your mind and put on the new self, which was created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Reflection

"Taking off" and "putting on" are not merely figurative metaphors, but a complete transfer of sovereignty over life. Faith is not about patching old clothes with new ones, but rather a thorough remaking of the soul—one must first resolutely abandon the old self, old habits, and idols in order to receive the new life created in God's image. This renewal is not a repair by personal will, but rather the truth taking root and sprouting within, bearing the fruit of righteousness and holiness. If we still cling to the shackles of the past, the radiance of the new self cannot be revealed. Reflecting on the present, am I truly willing to let go of those "old behaviors" that hinder sanctification, so that the holiness of Christ can transparently flow in my daily life?