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 4:23-24 (ESV)

“Be” is a verb. It is the essence of “being” or a continual state of action. We, as Christians, are to live in the constant state of being renewed – purging the old self and its ways – our old manner of life and thoughts. We are also to put on, embrace, the new self. The life of a Christian is one who rejects his previous ways, mindset, and views, and who embraces that which is outside of himself – that which is in Christ.

A Christian rejects his previous state of being – the state which is derived from a self-worship and self-gratification. The convert to Christ will understand that his old ways and futility of his previous life in incapable to save them – is incapable of producing a new person in them. There is no good day for an unrepentant man upon whom the Holy spirit has impressed the sinfulness of their lives, thoughts, and actions. They only see their sin as it really is until they finally repent and believe; surrendering the control and direction of their lives to the God who died in their place to save them. It is that person who lives their life in a constant state of renewal – converting their thoughts into God’s thoughts, and replacing their desires with God’s desires. It is in this recreated heart and mind where we are able to join with Jesus and pray “in His name” – praying the thoughts of God back to him, asking for his intentions to be fulfilled in out lives and in the world, and preparing our lives to pursue his glory rather than our own.

This is what it means to be renewed in the spirit of our minds, and is the practical application of “putting on” this new self. Our old self is dead. Wholly worthless, and nailed to the Cross of Christ. But our new self – that will last us forever. Created for God’s purposes to his glory, and for our sanctification until our eventual glorification with him in Heaven.

Let us “be” in our God and King, preparing ourselves for our full and eternal purposes in the Kingdom of our Creator, to his glory alone. Amen.