7) Renew your life with Word of God

Behold, Theotimus, how two men are represented in each of us, and consequently two lives; the one of the old man, which is an old life; like, they say, the eagle’s, which having grown into old age can but drag its wings along, and is unable to take flight: the other is the life of the new man, which also is a new life, like that of the eagle, which, being disburdened of its old feathers, now shaken off into the sea, takes new ones, and having grown young again, flies in the newness of its strength. (Treastise on the love of God, St. Francis de Sales, Book VII, Chapter VII)

In the first life we live according to the old man, that is, according to the failings, weaknesses and infirmities contracted by the sin of our first father, Adam; and therefore we live to Adam’s sin, and our life is a mortal life, yea death itself. In the second life we live according to the new man, that is, according to the graces, favours, ordinances and wills of our Saviour, and consequently, we live to salvation and redemption, and this new life is a lively, living and life-giving life. But whosoever would attain the new life, must make his way by the death of the old, crucifying his flesh with the vices and concupiscence thereof, burying it under the waters of holy baptism or penance: as Naaman drowned and buried in the waters of Jordan his leprous and infected old life, to live a new, sound, and spotless life; for one might well have said of him, that he was not now the old, leprous, corrupt, infected Naaman, but a new, clean, sound, and honourable Naaman, because he was dead to leprosy and was living to health and cleanness. (Treastise on the love of God, St. Francis de Sales, Book VII, Chapter VII)

Ephesians 4: 22 – 24 that you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires,and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.

Titus 3:5 not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit

Reflect and prayerfully read the quotes and scripture verses above.

Are there any old ways of life that are weighing you down?

Are you willing to leave those at the foot of the cross and receive His grace in return?

In prayer, place yourself at the foot of the cross, and leave there your past failings, weaknesses and infirmities or anything else that burdens you.

We cannot be controlled by the ways of the old man. As mentioned in the Treatise of love “new man, that is, according to the graces, favours, ordinances and wills of our Saviour, and consequently, we live to salvation and redemption, and this new life is a lively, living and life-giving life”. Yes the graces, favors and will of our Savior should move us – to live our new life in Him each day.

So, start each morning a new, new day with the Lord, asking Him to lead you by His grace, according His will. Ask Him to accompany you each moment, to fill all your thoughts and lead all your actions.

At the end of each day, with the Lord’s help look into your heart, and see if there were any areas we failed to live by His grace. Do not despair, offer it all to Him in faith, ask for pardon, His mercy and grace. Pray for renewed strength to rise and walk in His grace and live a new life daily in accordance to His will.

Abba You call us to live a new life with You each day. You invite us to leave behind the old man that weighs us down, our old ways of thinking, our past failures. You call us out and invite us to live a renewed life in You, by Your grace, by Your Spirit. Please help us by Your grace, and by the power of Your Spirit to respond to Your invitation to new life in You. Abba, please stay close to us each new day. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.