Old Man

What makes you cringe or blink or gasp?  Referring to a parent or spouse as the “old man” or “old woman” never seems quite right. Apostle Paul, however, wrote about the old man, but not in a disrespectful way. “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” (Romans 6:6).  All – and only – because of Jesus, Christians are freed from the old man or sinful nature, and this is good news!  No more are we chained to the reign of sin in our lives.  This freedom gives us all we need to live the new life in Christ. “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17).  This is particularly exciting because as Believers, we don't have to remain chained to bad habits or plaguing failures or a regretful past.  The old is behind us and the new in front of us.  Yes, the old man wiggles and squirms to stay alive in us, but "greater is He Who is in you than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4).  Aha!  Knowing these things, it’s perfectly okay - actually very fitting - to say: In Jesus’ Name, be done old man!