I’m learning I can ignore the cries of my heart… because I’m learning to ignore the Old Man’s Cries.
Everything I’ve ever lived has been to contemplate, reflect, document, heal and grow from experience; most growth has come from hurtful experiences that, over time, have been overcome. But now I’m uncovering what it’s like to live truly embracing the reality and extent of Salvation.
“But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:20-24)
Living in the New Man means those Old Man experiences and responses are flesh and can simply be ignored. The old man is who we were before Jesus came into our lives; the old man was dead in sin and is still dead. A dead man feels no pain.
This new man is alive in Christ. This new life is not difficult, but it is very new to me.
It is freeing. And yet, I can’t help wondering… is this right? Healthy? Ah, but that wonderment comes from the old man thinking, doesn’t it… it comes from questioning the reality and extent of what Jesus offers.
All of my past experience and insight has said we must face and address pain, and forgive, heal, and grow past it. To ignore it is so different.
But the New Man isn’t affected by insult or injury, is (s)he? Because (s)he is living in the reality of Jesus.
Is this right? It sure is new.
As I experience disappointment through this new perspective, I sense myself turning my back on the negative thought or emotion, and ignoring it. I’m not denying it, but rather, I’m simply not giving it any consideration. It doesn’t affect me because it can only affect the old man, the flesh, the part of me that is sinful and doesn’t want to let go of injustice or hurt.
The new man is capable of so much. Like walking on water, (s)he glides across offence and injustice, knowing God is the God of peace and justice.
As I live in the new man, I find I am much more open to a new perspective on my relationships and interactions. The old man – the flesh – chooses offence; the new man isn’t offended.
I’m also thinking about the roles we place ourselves in – such as spouse, parent, child, sibling, employer, employee, congregation member, congregation leader, friend. I’m discovering that there is so much that we assume is correct in how we relate with one another, and I find I’m questioning everything now. I’m in the process of becoming more liberated and more accepting – I think. I hope so.
The journey continues, and is more exciting, and surprising with each passing season.