Exchange happens every day. We exchange money for food when we are in the check out lane. Consignment stores are popular now, where a trading agreement is made between a seller and buyer, exchanging gently used items for money upon sale. When an exchange occurs, one person eliminates something (the unwanted item) to gain something else (money).
As we grow in our Christian faith, the Holy Spirit helps us eliminate the old way of thinking in exchange for a new way, reflecting God’s love.
Ephesians 4:22-24 instructs us to remove from our minds the lies that contaminate our souls and exchange them for the new self that reflects the Lord:
“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; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Simply put, the old way is sin; the new way is living in Christ.
Consider these contrasts to eliminate and exchange:
The old way thought “I am not worth anything,” but the new way believes in being treasured to God.
The old way condemns through whispering the lie “I am not acceptable to anyone.” The new way recalls acceptance by God.
The old way of thinking believes “there is nothing beautiful about me.” The new way remembers being made in the image of God.
The old way shames with “I can’t be forgiven for my past.” The new way accepts the grace of forgiveness from God.
The old way of thinking and living was selfish; the new way is to die to self and see the world with new eyes.
When the heart transformation occurs, new life begins. Not a physical new life, but an inner exchange from despair to hope in Jesus Christ.
A favorite verse of mine is 2 Corinthians 5:17:
“If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has passed away and the new has come.”
These words bring hope.
When we come to Christ, a beautiful exchange occurs.
We lay aside the former ways to be clothed in the righteousness of God. It is not from anything we have done. These new garments are not temporarily ours on consignment, but a new wardrobe forever.
Have you come to the Lord to eliminate the old way and exchange it for a new heart?
