And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Eph 4:24 KJV)

Here now the new man is shown as the opposite and contradiction of the old self. God by far outdoes Satan in wisdom and ability. Satan corrupted the original creation, yet God renews and recreates something by far surpassing the old right in the midst the corruption. God creates a new man created in righteousness and true holiness in the likeness of God. Thus God restores his true and best image in the midst of the old corrupted state. Even if this new creation is initially still an insignificant infant, who is opposed by more than just one evil Herod and whose light of life more than one Pontius Pilate wants to extinguish, yet still the creator keeps and preserves, yes nurtures and prospers this new man until he carries out his mission victoriously. Just as in the old corrupted being you found vain and deceitful passions, so you now find righteousness and true holiness in the new one. The old and new are like two natures in one person. They don’t have anything to do with each other, but rather are in constant opposition and conflict with each other. Both are seeking to take over control of the person and his ways. The apostle compares these two natures as two different garments – and old and a new dress. Every person is to discard the old and put on the new one. In this the triune God grants most gracious assistance and help, motivation and accomplishment – according to his goodwill and mercy. Amen.

Lord of our life, and God of our salvation, Star of our night, and Hope of every nation, Hear and receive Thy church’s supplication, Lord God Almighty.

See round Thine ark the hungry billows curling! See how Thy foes their banners are unfurling! Lord, while their darts envenomed they are hurling, Thou canst preserve us.

Lord, Thou canst help when earthly armor faileth; Lord, Thou canst save when sin itself assaileth; Lord, o’er Thy rock nor death nor hell prevaileth; Grant us Thy peace, Lord.

Peace, in our hearts, our evil thoughts assuaging, Peace, in Thy church, where brothers are engaging, Peace, when the world its busy war is waging; Calm thy foes raging!

Grant us Thy help till backward they are driven; Grant them Thy truth, that they may be forgiven; Grant peace on earth, or after we have striven, Peace in Thy heaven. (Matthäus Apples von Löwenstern, 1594-1648 tr Philip Pusey, 1799-1855)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Wednesday after the nineteenth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 351 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.