Living the New Life
Living the New Life:
Chart: Ninefold Former State of Gentiles
1. Vain in mind (Eph. 4:17; cp. Eph. 2:11)
2. Dark in understanding (Eph. 4:18; 2:12)
3. Alien to God’s life (Eph. 4:18; 2:12)
4. Ignorant of God (Eph. 4:18; 2:12)
5. Blind in heart (Eph. 4:18; 2Cor. 4:4)
6. Past feeling (Eph. 4:19; 2:12)
7. Lustful (Eph. 4:19; Gal. 5:19, note)
8. Unclean (homosexual, Eph. 4:19; Gal. 5:19)
9. Greedy (Eph. 4:19; 5:3; 2Cor. 6:10)
But this is not for us
The “renewal” here mentioned is not that of the mind itself in its natural powers of memory, judgment and perception, but “the spirit of the mind,” which, under the controlling power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, directs its bent and energies Godward in the enjoyment of “fellowship with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ,” and of the fulfillment of the will of God.