This inner strengthening “with power” is far greater than our natural strength. The Father’s Spirit supplies all the divine power we need to be changed completely. The Almighty “is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). The Spirit, however, chooses to work with us—not instead of us and not without our cooperation.
For example, preserving unity is not automatic. The commands of Ephesians are to “walk” in a worthy manner and to be “eager”—also translated “striving” and “make every effort”—to maintain unity (Ephesians 4:1, 3). Unity is not something to be neglected or taken for granted. We must pay careful attention and expend energy for its maintenance. Likewise, the Spirit empowers change in us—which makes us more suitable for His unity—but He requires us to cooperate.
[In Him, you were taught] to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24).
“Put off your old self … put on the new self.”
Already, we are God’s new creation. At the same time, as we submit to the Spirit—as we work to remove the old self like filthy rags, as we put on the new self—the Spirit transforms us into the Father’s likeness. In the process, the Spirit produces virtues that contribute to harmony.