Conformed In His Image

"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ... 
Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
~Ephesians 4:1-3, 22-24

​In Ephesians 4 Paul urges us to put off the old self, and put on the new self. This is a metaphor for Christ changing us after we are born again, also known as sanctification. Someday we will be like Christ. (Philippians 1:6) For now though, we are being changed a little bit at a time. God uses his word, prayer, godly friends, and many other things to conform us into his image. This conforming is not by our own doing. Only the Holy Spirit in us enables us to resist sin. Also, we do not try to resist sin so that we may be saved. Rather, we resist sin because we are saved.

Knowing this, how can I be "soft clay" ready to be shaped in the Potter's hands?

As I go about my day, I have to see every sin as something that God hates, and as an enemy to be defeated. I also need to constantly pray with humility for God's help. Humility is crucial, because pride is a magnet for defeat, and I cannot kill sin on my own. This sounds like a war, because it is. We are fighting a roaring lion, seeking who he may destroy. Let  us be always on our guard, knowing that every choice, habit, and attitude is a decision to either be conformed to the image of Christ, or this world. 

Fight the good fight, brothers and sisters! We are not abandoned. Sin has no hold on those bought with Christ's blood. He is with us, and the victory is ours!

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