As we continue this powerful journey through Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus, chapter 4 reminds us of something life-changing—as believers, we have been given a new life in Christ.

Maybe you’re here today, and you struggle to fully grasp this truth. Maybe you feel like your past still defines you, like you’re stuck between who you were and who God is calling you to be.

But here’s the good news: Jesus has already set you free.

📖 “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

So why do so many of us still live like we’re in chains?

For many believers, this is one of the greatest struggles. We believe in Christ, but we don’t fully walk in the freedom He has given us. We let our past sins, mistakes, and regrets keep us locked in a prison that Jesus already unlocked.

But today, we are going to declare:

🚪 The old life is gone.
🚀 The new life has come.
🔥 I will no longer live in bondage to my past.

It’s time to take off the grave clothes and put on the grace clothes.

Step 1: Be Distinctive – Live Differently

📖 “Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.” (Ephesians 4:17)

Paul is making something crystal clear: There should be a distinct difference between a believer and an unbeliever.

If you are saved, you don’t live the way you used to live.

Does that mean you’re perfect? No.
Does that mean you’ll never struggle? Of course not.

But it does mean that your life is moving in a new direction—toward Christ, not away from Him.

🔹 Your thinking should change.
🔹 Your desires should change.
🔹 Your actions should change.

Paul describes unbelievers as being darkened in their understanding, alienated from God, and hardened in heart. (Ephesians 4:18-19)

But if you’re in Christ, that’s no longer who you are.

You have hope.
You have truth.
You have the Holy Spirit guiding you.

Step 2: Be Renewed – Change the Way You Think

📖 “Be renewed in the spirit of your minds.” (Ephesians 4:23)

The greatest battles we face as believers happen in our minds.

Satan knows that if he can control your thoughts, he can control your actions.

That’s why Paul warns in Romans 12:2:

📖 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”

If we want to walk in freedom, we have to change the way we think.

🚪 Stop believing the enemy’s lies.
🔥 Start believing God’s truth.

How do we renew our minds?

✅ Read God’s Word daily – Let it shape your thoughts.
✅ Surround yourself with believers – We need encouragement.
✅ Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance – He is our helper!

Your old mindset will try to pull you back into fear, doubt, and sin. But God is calling you to fix your eyes on Jesus and let Him transform your thinking.

Step 3: Be Empowered – Walk in the Strength of the Holy Spirit

📖 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

We can’t walk in freedom by our own strength.

If we try to “be better” or “try harder,” we will fail every time.

But when we surrender to God’s power, transformation happens.

💪 It’s not about your strength.
🔥 It’s about God’s strength in you.

So, when the enemy whispers:
❌ “You’ll never change.”
❌ “You’ll always be stuck.”
❌ “You’re too far gone.”

Declare the truth:
✅ “I am a new creation in Christ.”
✅ “God is working in me.”
✅ “Satan has no power over me!”

It’s time to stop letting the enemy win the battle for your mind and start standing in the victory of Jesus!

Step 4: Take Off the Grave Clothes, Put On the Grace Clothes

📖 “Put off your old self… and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. But when Lazarus came out of the tomb, he was still wrapped in grave clothes.

What did Jesus say?

📖 “Unbind him, and let him go.” (John 11:44)

Too many of us are alive in Christ but still wearing grave clothes.

➡️ We hold onto shame from past mistakes.
➡️ We keep replaying failures in our minds.
➡️ We live in fear instead of stepping into our calling.

But Jesus says: “Take off the grave clothes.”

🔥 You are no longer dead—you are alive in Christ!
🔥 You are no longer bound—you are free!
🔥 You are no longer your past—you are redeemed!

It’s time to stop living in the past and start walking in the future God has for you.

Final Thought: It’s Time to Walk in Freedom

📖 “Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:24)

🚪 What are you still holding onto from your past?
🚀 What grave clothes do you need to remove today?
🔥 Are you ready to step into the freedom Jesus has already given you?

👉 Say it out loud: “I am not who I was. I am new in Christ!”

Because through Jesus, you are free.

And it’s time to walk in it.