I like to think about being a new man. A new start and fresh approach. In Ephesians 2:14-15 Paul talks about how Jesus has done this for us. He (Jesus) is our peace, made the two groups one, broke down the dividing wall, abolished in His own the flesh the enmity of the Law, and in Himself created the new man.

When I get down on myself for not being the kind of man I want to be, I would do good then if I were to recall that it is not about me. It is about what the Lord has done. I would also do good to remember what else Paul had to say about this new man. It is up to me to put this "new man" on. I have to make the whole hearted effort of putting this "new man" on each and every day. In Ephesians 4:20 - 24 Paul speaks about this. It is a conscious choice by me each and every day to put on this "Jesus Suit", if you will, and go about my day-to-day affairs. To put aside all of my corruption and filth and put on the very likeness of God that has been created in righteousness and holy truth.

Again in Colossians Paul talks about some of the things that we as Christians face in our day-to-day affairs. I believe that it is in these every day ordinary affairs where the battle rages the hottest. We usually do not think about them very much because they are so mundane. In Colossians 3:1 - 3 are some words that we ought to use as encouragement and inspiration. If we have been raised up with Christ, we ought to seek those things where Christ is. And where is He exactly, but seated at the right hand of God the Father. It is by setting our minds on things of this nature that we are pleasing to God and truly are seeking to put the "new man" to a most effective use. We ought to be doing these things simply because our life is hidden in Christ, so that only leaves Christ to live in me!

Philippians 2:1 - 8 is a perfect description of the attitude of this new man. It is also a wonderful description of the attitude of Jesus. Is it any wonder that the "new man" ought to resemble Him? The ability to regard others as better than ourselves, to do nothing from selfish ambition, to look out not only for our own best interests but those of others as well, to empty ourselves and take on the role of a bondservant. Attitude is a funny word. I remember a preacher told me one time that attitude is where you are in relation to where you need to be. We ought to practice these "attitude" traits until it no longer seems like practice!