A NEW LOOK
Self-Esteem
Put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness» (Ephesians 4:24).
The original Greek meaning of the word «put on» is enduo, a term that indicates «sinking into a garment» or «getting into clothing» and has been translated to «wear clothes» or «dress.» Clothes communicate a feeling to whomever wears them: work or sports clothes predispose to action and elegant attire lends itself to slow-paced and graceful movements. This affects not only the people who are wearing the fabric, but also those who see it from the outside. Indeed, clothes lead to prejudices. For example, many studies show that one is more likely to suffer from discrimination based on one’s dressing style than one’s race or ethnic background.
Occasionally, a legend has taken this concept to add magical powers to clothes. The Russian writer Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) narrates the story of a tsar who fell seriously ill. best doctors gave him the most advanced medicine, but his health did not improve. Feeling hopeless, he offered half of his wealth to whomever could cure him. Many tried with procedures that did not impress the sovereign. Then a troubadour gave him hope: «Sir, the only medicine for your affections is to put on the shirt of the happiest man you encounter.
“The tsar’s soldiers searched everywhere within the boundaries of the kingdom. But, confronted with deprivation, pain, and suffering, it was difficult for them to find someone happy. Even those who had it all were complaining. Eventually, they found a humble man who lived in a shack. He did not have much, but he was in good health and enjoyed the affection of his family and friends. They concluded he was the happiest man.
«Bring me immediately this man’s shirt,» was the order from the Palace. «It doesn’t matter how much he asks for it.
«But the emissaries came back empty-handed.
«Where is the shirt?» was the vociferous question.
With distress, the messengers answered,
«That man didn’t have a shirt.»
The apostle Paul uses the imagery of new clothes to describe the new man who, after being reborn, enjoys a new condition that is different from the previous one. According to Ephesians 4, the new condition transforms the character, dismisses lying, anger, and theft, promotes labor and altruism, apart from encouraging a manner of speaking that brings mercy and edifies the listeners. Furthermore, the new man doesn’t have bitterness, anger, shouting, slander, or any kind of evil.
Try on these new clothes today
—this spiritual attire that translates into good fruit so your character. God freely offers them to you.
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Taken from: Daily Devotions for Junior 2020
“A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine”
From: Julian Melgoza-Laura Fidanza
Colaboradores:Sergio Alcantara & Emmanuel Tapia
Radio Joven Adventista
Recetas Vegetarianas
