UNDERSTANDING THE NEW YOU

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   "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 

    In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

   In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

   And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory."

Ephesians 1: 4-14 (NIV)

  Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

   As believers we are called to renew our minds — and that is one of the most important parts of growing into the image of Christ. It's not always easy, especially at first. But it is absolutely necessary. The way you think has to change in order to line up with what God's Word says about who you really are.

   Renewing your mind simply means replacing old thought patterns with new ones. It means changing the way you see yourself, letting go of beliefs that don't line up with God's truth, and gradually shifting your behavior to match His will for your life. It means releasing your grip on the old you — the old habits, the old mindset, the old identity — and stepping fully into the new life and new person God has called you to be in Christ.

"Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ."

Ephesians 1:4-5

   You are loved and valued by God who has a purpose for you. Before creation and any of us were born, he already knew us by name.

 "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Colossians 1:13-14

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," 

Romans 8:1

    Because of what Jesus did on the cross, every sin you have ever committed or will ever commit is forgiven — past, present, and future. All of it. Your past no longer has any power over you. The guilt and shame you have been carrying do not have to define you anymore. You are free to step out of the shadows and live fully in the light of God's grace. 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 

2 Corinthians 5:17

   The moment you place your faith in Christ, everything changes. Your transformation begins right then and there. You are given a genuine fresh start — a clean slate. The guilt and shame of your past no longer have a hold on you. You are free. 

"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." 

John 1:12

 You are not just forgiven — you are welcomed in. You are adopted into God's own family, loved and accepted as His child. 

"And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ." 

Romans 8:17

 As God's child you are also an heir — meaning everything He has promised belongs to you. Not just in the life to come, but right here, right now in this one too.

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