Ephesians Chapter 4 (3)
Notes
Transcript
Paul contrasts the old way of life, characterized by futility and darkness, with the new life in Christ, which involves renewal and righteousness.
17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.
18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.
19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.
20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!—
21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,
22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,
23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
This passage challenges us to critically evaluate our lives and choose to walk in the new identity we have in Christ.
It encourages believers to let go of old habits and embrace a lifestyle that reflects God's holiness, offering hope to those struggling with past behaviors.
What should we glen from this passage?
We are to embrace our new identity in Christ and walk away from the old to live a life that reflects His righteousness.
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
We see that Peter through the unity of Spirit writes of this mind set as well.
1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.
4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;
5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
27 and give no opportunity to the devil.
28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
He we see Paul encouraging believers (the Church) to discard falsehood, embrace truth, and engage in behaviors that build up the community rather than tear it down, emphasizing the importance of the Holy Spirit's role in the life of a Christian.
Our commitment to truth and love not only reflects our faith but also honors the Holy Spirit, empowering us to build each other up in the body of Christ.
Let us remember all of these passages are a call to allow the power of the Holy Spirit to transform you from the old man to the new man that is found in Christ!
From a walk in the world to walking in the Spirit.
From a hard heart to a new heart!
From wearing the old man to putting on the new man.
From corrupt talk to speaking blessings.
From stealing to becoming productive and becoming a giver.
From speaking trash to speaking with Grace.
From bitterness to forgiveness.
From anger to being kind and tenderhearted.
TRANSFORMED by THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!
