Fix Up Time 内部装修
Dexu Xia
Be made new in the attitude of your minds. Ephesians 4:23
It was time to give the inside of our home a fresh, new look. But just as I’d begun prepping a room for painting, our state government announced it would be halting the sale of many home improvement items due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As soon as I heard the announcement, I rushed to the store and purchased the essential materials. You simply can’t remodel without the proper supplies.
Paul had a bit of a remodeling project in mind when he wrote Ephesians 4. But the changes he was talking about went far beyond superficial alterations. Even though trusting Jesus as Savior makes us a new creation, there’s still some ongoing work the Spirit needs to do. And it takes time and work for Him to accomplish “true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).
The presence of the Spirit makes needed changes on the inside that can help us reflect Jesus in our words and actions. He helps us replace lying with speaking “truthfully” (v. 25). He guides us to avoid sin in regard to anger (v. 26). And He directs us to speak words that are “helpful for building others up” (v. 29). These Spirit-controlled actions are part of the internal change that’s manifested in things like kindness, compassion, and forgiveness (v. 32). The Spirit works in us to enable us to imitate Jesus Himself and reflect the heart of our heavenly Father (v. 24; 5:1).
In what areas do you need the Holy Spirit to make real, heart-based improvement in you through His leading and strength? How will you get started?
Loving God, thank You for making me a new creation in Christ. Help my actions, through Your guidance, to reflect the change You’ve made in me.
又要将你们的心志改换一新。—以弗所书4章23节
该是将我们家的内部装潢改换一新的时候了。但就在我开始清理房间准备油漆时，州政府宣布，因为新冠肺炎的疫情，许多装修房子的用料都将停止贩售。我一听到这个消息，立刻冲去店里购买必需的材料。毕竟，没有适当的材料就没办法整修房子。
保罗在写以弗所书第4章时，也有整修计划的想法。但是他所谈到的改变，远远超过只做表面上的改变。虽然信耶稣为救主使我们成为新造的人，但仍需圣灵持续进行更新的工作。祂需要花时间在我们的生命中动工，好使我们能有“真理的仁义和圣洁”（以弗所书4章24节）。
内住的圣灵会从我们内心做必要的改变，让我们的言行举止能反映耶稣的样式。祂指引我们以说“实话”（25节）取代谎言；引导我们不因生气而犯罪（26节）；带领我们“说造就人的好话”（29节）。这是因圣灵在我们内心所做的改变，使我们能活出恩慈、怜悯、饶恕等特质（32节）。圣灵在我们里面工作，使我们能学着效法耶稣，并反映出天父的心肠（24节，5章1节）。
你需要靠圣灵的引领与能力，在你的哪些部分
做出内心真正的改变？你将如何着手？
慈爱的上帝，谢谢祢,让我在基督里成为新造的人。
请带领我，使我的行为能反映出祢在我内心所做的改变。