Put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:24
In the Garden of Eden, God created a new man and woman according to His image “in true righteousness and holiness.” But righteousness and holiness were marred by sin. The story of redemption becomes the story of restoring righteousness and holiness in man and creation. We call the temporal restoration of righteousness sanctification and the ultimate, eternal restoration of righteousness glorification.
We find connections to the creation and re-creation story throughout Scripture. For example, 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” The practical application of that truth is described in Ephesians 4:22-24 where Paul says to “put off” the old self of unrighteousness and sinfulness and “put on” the new self of righteousness and holiness. Putting off and putting on are our part, our responsibility, as “imitators of God” (Ephesians 5:1). Giving us the desire and power to do so is God’s part through the power of His Spirit.
We don’t start a new day in dirty clothes; neither should we live a new life with an unrighteous heart.
Everything in Scripture has in view the promotion of holiness.
