Walking in Newness of Life 2

Walking in Newness of Life (Part 2)

Ephesians 4:25-32

Have you ever wondered why you don’t see too many people wearing orange jump suits in the office, at the grocery store, or on the jogging path. Why is that? It is because orange jump suits are prison clothes. Even prisoners don’t keep wearing the orange jump suit once they get out. The change from imprisonment to freedom brings about a wardrobe change.

In spiritual terms, this is what we have been learning in Ephesians 4. Last time we saw that because we are a new creation in Christ, we need to change our wardrobe. When we were converted, we became a new creation in Christ. Conversion means that we died to an old life and we begin to live a new life. We noted how Scripture uses the language of changing clothes. Put off the old man and put on the new man.

Building on that principle, we come to Ephesians 4:25-32. In this segment of Ephesians, Paul is making some specific application of the theological principle explained in vv. 17-24. He tells us how the new creation in Christ looks in some very specific aspects of everyday life.

As we look at these areas, we will see a pattern. First, we are told some aspect of the old life which must be put off or discontinued. Second, we are told some aspect of the new life which must be put on or lived out. Third, we are given a motive or reason for this change.

You will notice that each of these areas have to do with relationships. This passage tells us how new creation people must live in relationship to one another. Like any good preacher, Paul doesn’t just give us an abstract principle. He shows us what it looks like in real life. So, follow the pattern as we make our way through this section. Stop this. Do this. And here’s why.

I. Replace lying with truth because we belong to one body (v. 25).