Gracious Father, when we were led to Christ, were taught in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. We were taught, regarding the former way of life, that we were in a hopeless state—dead—and only through Christ could we experience life. We were taught that we must abandon any dependence or hope in our old self and self-effort, which continues to be corrupted by its deceitful desires and to take on a completely new mindset of utter dependence and hope in Christ alone for our justification as well as our sanctification. We desperately desire to live completely reliant upon you, Lord Jesus, and experience your supernatural empowerment that overflows with true righteousness and holiness.
What an incredible gift you have given us empowering us to do just that. That precious and powerful gift—the indwelling of your Holy Spirit in our lives. It is you, Lord, who makes us stand firm in Christ. You anointed us, set your seal of ownership on us, and put your Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Father, keep us keenly aware of our need for constant dependence upon you and give us a willing and reliant heart to trust you by faith. Our hope is truly found only in you!
In Christ,
Blessings!
Ephesians 4:20-24
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
II Corinthians 1:21-22
21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. 22 He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.