“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:1-2) Because of His love, Jesus is our true and only example. He spoke outside the “worldly box”. He always thought outside the box and He definitely lived outside the box and they crucified Him. He focused on the Cross…our forgiveness and His Resurrection… eternal life for all who believe.

Christian, are you thinking and living outside the box…the worldly box?”

To think and live outside the box is “to think differently, unconventionally [free] or from a new perspective…“the ability to discern what is important.”

Because we are born again and have fellowship with the Father and Jesus Christ, we “put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,” (Eph.

4:20-22).

If you profess Christ but have a problem thinking and living outside the “worldly box.” You are not focused on Christ! “But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:” (Eph.4:20-21).

If you think and live according to the world’s standards “you have not so learned Christ.” It is because you do not have daily fellowship, study the Word of God, have an effective prayer life and you do not truly worship God. It says that you are allowing the “old man” to think and live.

The Christian must “be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph.:4:23-24).

The Christian is free in Jesus Christ to “think and live” outside the “worldly box.”

It begins when a person acknowledges that he/she is a sinner before God, repents of this sin and places faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior. This is conversion and commitment to think and live outside the worldly box. The Holy Spirit of God comes into the heart to lead, guide and direct us, but there must be a full surrender to Him.

Christians are new creations with a new citizenship. Christians think on Heavenly things, not earthly. We live in this world, but are not of this world, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” (Phil 3:20).

The Christian seeks God’s will and plan… not the ways of the world. The “old man” must go!

Christian, how are you thinking and living? Do you find yourself putting on the old man’s clothes? If you enjoy the “worldly box” more than you enjoy thinking and living outside the box…you have a spiritual problem. The Bible says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15; I John 2:16).

You have been raised from the dead! You are alive and free to live outside the “worldly box.” “…your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1Cor 6:19-20).

Thinking and living outside the “worldly box” is not easy. It is a rough road, but is the only road that will honor Christ.

We once lived in the ways of world, now we move forward with a plan to stay focused on Christ. Yes, society and some friends do not make it easy. We will be mocked and hated, but we depend upon the Holy Spirit as we surrender to Him.

The Christian plans to honor Christ, seek Him, commit to His ways, and stay focused on Him.

Be energetic about being free in Christ. We are overcomers! (I John 5:4).

As we think and live outside the box, we will see souls saved, free to think and live outside the box. Amen!

Christian as you review your thinking and living, are you “outside the box?”