Equipping & Envisoning the Church Series

Don’t Be What you Were, Become Who You Are!

“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”(Eph 4:17-32).

1.Don’t live as you once did! - vs18,19.

“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.”

Ephesians 4 began with a call to Christians to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received” and this chapter outlines a demand for spiritual growth in the fellowship of the body of Christ both in terms of behaviour and knowledge and understanding.

Christ has given us everything we need and He has provided the Church with teachers who are there to help us grow in such knowledge. We ought to take every opportunity and advantage for continued Christian growth.

Now, in still more practical terms, Paul describes the way in which such a call is to be followed.

There must be the complete abandonment of the old way of living, and the working out of the new life that Christ calls us to, which will be most often seen in our personal relationships with others.

Though the old life has been renounced by the Christian church, they are living surrounded by those who still live and follow a pagan lifestyle in a pagan and ungodly culture, so a warning is needed not to indulge in the darkness of godlessness and it is done so in the strongest of terms - “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do.”

The word translated in the NIV as “insist” is “testify” (Grk: martyromai) which has to do with a law court testimony, a solemn declaration. This is done “in the Lord”, as a representative and spokesman for Jesus, representing the will of Jesus for our lives!

He is writing to those who by race are Gentiles, but who, by the transforming grace of Christ, have come to be different from ‘other Gentiles’ and that difference is marked out by the lives that they lead! - see Eph 2:12-13

Ephesians 2:12–13 (NIV84)

“Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.”

The true nature of that old way of life is described now in a series of devastating phrases - “In the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.”

This is comparable to the expressions Paul had previously used in Romans 1:18–31 in which he describes the mental, spiritual and moral decadence in that society.

Notwithstanding some notable outstanding and moral characters in Roman and Greek Society, the prevalent way of people’s living was futile, an “empty way of life, handed down by your forefathers” (cf. 1 Pet. 1:18) because, as the apostle says, futility is characteristic of “their thinking”.

Tragically, ‘In losing the living conception of a living God’, pagan society had ‘lost also the conception of the true object and perfection of human life; and so wandered on aimless, hopeless, reckless’ (Barry).

As Francis Foulkes points out in his commentary here: “It is not implied that all that is said in this section is true of all who are not Christian, but it is not unfair to say that ‘this is the direction in which every life is facing which is out of touch with God; and this is the kind of life which will be reproduced in a community in which Christian influence is not active’. Without the knowledge of God, ultimately all is vanity, as there is no sense of purpose.”

There may be much knowledge (cf. Matt. 11:25; 1 Cor. 1:18–25), but there is no light of wisdom in the mind, the understanding is darkened. This is due to the “ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.” FNote that they are not being blamed for thier ignorance of the Gospel, how could they if it had not come to them? They are however being blamed for sinning against the light that they have (Rom. 1:18–23; 2:12–15). This reveals a hardness of heart - a verb that means to ‘petrify’ or ‘cause a callus to form’, and so figuratively ‘to become hard’ (Mk 8:17) or ‘insensitive’ or stubborn(Mk 3:5) - which they could not disclaim all responsibility.

Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.” - This is the extent of the callus. They have ceased to have any appreciation of the truth of God or any feeling of shame in the face of evil. The original force of the word is to have no more pain or sorrow, hence “sensitivity”, and so can be applied here to indicate that ‘they have deadened their conscience and do not feel its stings’. Immorality of life has inevitably followed. Indeed, they abandon themselves to it, lustfully, indulgently and continously, but note they are never satisfied! They are not finding themselves; they are losing themselves! They are not free; they are enslaved!

Don’t live as you once did!

2. Become What Christ Taught You To Be! - vs 20-24.

“You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Literally ‘But you’! To draw out the contrast strongly - You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.

You did not so learn Christ! The truth of God and of his purpose has come to dominate your minds, and this truth has ethical implications. Your lives are no longer dark, your minds no longer vain. You are no longer alienated but walking step by step in the full light of the Lord, and in fellowship with him. So you must finish with all immorality, and the passion for what is impure, and for what outrages the souls and bodies of others. This is a call to holiness of life and action.

And note: Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus - Christ’s will for our life was both the subject and object of the teaching we received. We heard it with our ears and we saw it with the eyes of our faith. It was a lifestyle not just taught us but modelled to us. Hs way of life, becoming our way of life! We are to BE WITH JESUS; BECOME LIKE JESUS and DO WHAT JESUS DID!

This involves PUTTING OFF the old “way of life” and PUTTING ON the “NEW…WAY OF LIFE” in Christ! - We are to make the change! - see . Rom. 13:12; Col. 3:9; Heb. 12:1; Jas 1:21; 1 Pet. 2:1. - We are to Become What Christ Taught You To Be!

What is to be PUT OFF is described as the old nature.

As past sins are repented of and forgiven by the grace of God, in the blood of Christ, we are to seek to abandon them completely.

All that belongs to the old way of life, described in verses 17–19, is to be set aside decisively. (Note: The Gk. aorist signifies a single act.) That “way of life” was corrupt and destructive(see Gal. 6:8). The lusts, the self-centred desires that belong to that old way of life, are deceitful in that they promise joy and gain but cannot fulfil the promise. (cf. Rom. 7:11; Heb. 3:13). It leads to the pollution and the spoiling of what God has made and planned, and in the end causes the one who indulges without repentance, to perish in it (John 3:16; 2 Thess. 2:10).

What is to be PUT ON is the new nature in Christ.

The ‘old nature’ (v. 22) is to be put off, and Christians are to be renewed.

It is worth noting that the Greek has two adjectives for new: kainos, which means new in the sense of fresh and distinctive, and neos, which means new in the sense of young. Both have corresponding verbs that are used in the New Testament concerning life in Christ, which is bring “renewed day by day”(2 Corinthians 4:16) and “renewed in the image of its Creator”(Colossians 3:10).

That which is formed from kainos, is the new creation (2 Cor 5:17) in Christ in which the “old life” is replaced by the new life in Jesus!

Here we have the verb from neos, which thus implies that by putting off the destructive old nature we can regain our spiritual youth and vitality! It speaks of the possibility of continuous renewal in Christ! - made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” - The constant renewal or rejuvenation of our soul and spirit and mind as we commune with and become more and more like Him! - so Matt 11:28-30

It is the mind that is emphasied here ‘Because the decay was initiated by the futility of minds alienated from God, the reversal of the process must begin with the renewal of the mind’ (Caird). Such renewal in the mind (Rom. 12:2) or in the spirit of the mind, is possible by the indwelling of the Spirit of God. He creates a new way of thinking and in consequence a new way of life for the believer in Christ!

This new nature is God’s creation (so Eph 2:10-15; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15; Col. 3:10; Titus 3:5). Again, the aorist verb again implies a decisive act, putting on this God-created, God-given life. This is the truth about the Christian, ‘Two things are required for the positive formation of the Christian character, the continuous and progressive renewal of our highest faculty, and the decisive acceptance of “the new man”.’(Westcott).

This new nature is created after the likeness of “God in true righteousness and holiness.” Our ‘new nature’ is said to be ‘renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator’(Col 3:10). We were made in God’s image in the beginning (Gen. 1:27)but that image has been marred by sin and the life in fellowship with God has been lost, but in Christ, we are a new creation,; we are restored to the image of God in all of His perfection!

And if this character in true righteousness and holiness is not seen, at least in some measure, there is no evidence that there has been God’s work of re-creation at all. And note the distinction is that righteousness is used of the fulfilment of our duty to other people, and holiness of our duty to God. (see Luke 1:75; 1 Thess. 2:10; Titus 1:8). Such righteousness and holiness come into the character when the truth as it is in Jesus is embraced and followed, which shows itself in the just and devout life called for by the truth.

3. Do Not Grieve The Holy Spirit of God - vs 25-32.

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Paul follows a pattern of negative prohibition, followed by a positive command and motivation in these verses which will lead to good outcomes.

Instead of a life characterized by ignorance, futility and deceit, impurity and lust, the Christian is to live a life characterized by holiness and righteousness which happens when certain, specific sins are “put off”, and are to be replaced with positive qualities and actions that are worthy of the Christian’s life.

The things to be put off are:

falsehood;

sinful anger - He quotes from Psalm 4:4. A bad temper is a relic of the sinful nature! “There is anger which is righteous anger, such as we see in our Lord himself (e.g. Mark 3:5; John 2:13–17); but his anger never led to sin, because his emotions were kept under perfect control. Christians must be sure that their anger is that of righteous indignation, and not just an expression of personal provocation or wounded pride. It must have no sinful motives, nor be allowed to lead to sin in any way.”(Foulkes). We must also be careful of holding a grude which is due to ‘provocation’ (Grk: parorgismos see also Eph 6:4). Personal resentment can arise from anger, even righteous anger when harboured and brooded over in the heart. Passionate feelings against people or their actions are not to be kept long, lest they break down the love that seeks to bring good out of evil.

stealing;

unwholesome talk - The adjective used in the Greek (sapros) basically means ‘rotten’, and then has a derived sense of ‘worthless’. It is talk that is ‘rotten’ and that spreads like bad fruit to the harm of others.

grieving the Holy Spirit - “The instructions about anger were followed by the warning against giving place to the devil (v. 26). These instructions now about the Christian’s conversation are followed by the warning do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God. All sin—the reminder is necessary—and not least that of the tongue, is a cause of personal sorrow to God, for we are called to fellowship with him.”(Foulkes).

“bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” - These 6 sins so readily find expression in speech and are not the will of God for us!

The things which are to replace them are:

speaking truthfully - because Christians break the bonds of love and fellowship when they try to deceive one another. We belong together as members of the one body (cf. Rom. 12:5), so must be completely honest with one another.

useful work - literally honest toil (Grk: kopiaō meaning the strenuous work that produces fatigue). The Christian is never to be ashamed or afraid of hard work; it is the duty of all (1 Thess. 4:11; 2 Thess. 3:10–12).

sharing with those in need - Instead of robbing others of the fruit of their labour, Christians are to work for their own living. More than that, they are to work to be able to give to those in need. It is worth reminding ourselves that the Lord cared for the poot and along with His disciples, looked after their needs! (see Matt. 19:21; Luke 14:13; John 13:29; Acts 2:44–45; 4:32–37; 6:1–3; Rom. 15:26–27; 2 Cor. 8–9; Gal. 2:10),

speaking helpfully to “benefit those who listen” - “The test of a person’s use of money is, ‘What am I giving to those in need?’ The test of conversation is not just ‘Am I keeping my words true and pure?’ but ‘Are my words being used to impart grace to those who hear?’ The grace of the Lord’s own words, the love and blessing which they conveyed, is spoken of in Luke 4:22. The utterance of the Christian is to be characterized by the same grace (cf. Col. 3:16; 4:6).”(Foulkes)

and being “kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” — The eradication of evil words and actions depends ultimately on the purification of the thought life. Kindness and compassion lead to forgiveness, allowing us to bypass the hard-heartedness and bitterness and resentment that may take root! see Col 3:12.

The outcomes for the addoption of such a new way of life and actions will be,

unity of the body of Christ, ”for we are all members of one body.”

A harmonious church in which anger does not fester and the “devil” is not given “a foothold” - Anger gives the devil an opportunity A ‘half-open door’ (Moule, CB) to develop the spirit of pride or hatred. To refrain from anger is to choose love and to prefer otehrs above yourself which gives palce for the Holy Spirit to work. The devil is to be resisted (Jas 4:7), and given no place whether it is the individual’s spiritual life, or the welfare of the fellowship that is in danger (cf. 1 Pet. 5:8–9)

a people who “have something to share with those in need.”

a place in which people are “built up” and benefit from Christ’s teachings and His peoples genuince care and practical compassion

a place of acceptance where people are forgiven, restored and accepted! - “The supreme example and motive for all Christian forgiveness is God’s own forgiveness. God in Christ, the rsv rightly translates (cf. 2 Cor. 5:19), forgave you. He has done this once and for all and completely. Therefore in love and gratitude to him men and women must forgive.”(Foulkes).