Ephesians 4:17-24
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Review
At the beginning of Chapter Four the Apostle Paul begins his teaching on the Christian walk. I remind you of that scripture:
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called. Ephesians 4:1.
He then proceeds in the next 16 verses to explain what that entails. That we have covered in the previous writings.
In our scripture portion for this month he introduces a new facet of the walk of the believer. Walk indicating, to regulate one’s life, to conduct oneself, so that the believer is distinguished from the world.
Walk Differently – 17-19
Paul is saying, yes, beseeching as in God’s name, exhorting them solemnly, that in light of the previous study concerning the maturity of the believer individually, and the body of Christ corporately, that though they are Gentiles, they ought not to be like other Gentiles. Those walk in the vanity of their mind, or in perverseness or depravation. Furthermore they are in worse straits than that.
1. Their understanding is darkened.
2. They are alienated from the life of God.
3. Ignorance indwells them.
4. They have blindness of heart,
5. Their conscience no longer operates.
6. They are wanton, unrestrained in their behavior.
7. And if that is not bad enough, they are motivated by greed.
I don’t feel like I have to spend too much time in the Greek lexicon to explain their plight.
But Ye – 20-21
The believer’s distinguishing factor is that he has learned Christ. Note, he has learned Christ, not just about Christ. He has entered into relationship with Jesus. The darkened understanding has been enlightened. He has been brought near and has received the life of God. The believer is no longer ignorant or blind. The conscience is now discerning. The Holy Spirit fruit of temperance, self-control, is developing, and now love for God and the neighbor is the guiding power. The believer has learned Christ. And no longer lives but Christ lives in him, and he is being conformed to His image. Galatians 2:20, Romans 8:29.
The hymn writer expressed it correctly:
What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since Jesus came into my heart!
I have light in my soul for which long I have sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart! (Rufus H. McDaniel 1914).
There should be a difference between the believer and unbeliever.
Learning Christ is accomplished by hearing Him and being taught by Him. How can this be? This is done by exposure to the truth of Jesus. The truth is in Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life. It is imperative that we ourselves learn by the reading of Scripture, particularly the New Testament, and it is incumbent upon every preacher and teacher to teach Jesus above all else. Regardless of what topic the preacher is talking about he should present Jesus in every message. This is how the believer learns Jesus who is Christ. (A subtle message to any Jewish reader).
Off with the Old, On with the New - 22-24
More of Jesus will tend to less of the old lifestyle. While the Holy Spirit does his part in the process of sanctification, we are not left to sit in our spiritual recliner and not participate. We have a part to play. Empowered by the Holy Spirit we begin to make wiser decisions, better choices, and saintly associations.
He imparts his power, we depart from worldly enterprises.
Paul calls it putting off the old man of our former existence. As has been determined already, that manner of life is contrary to our new vocation. It is corrupt and misguided by deceitful lusts.
Then Paul says, we are to put on the new man which is derived from God and is therefore engaged in righteousness and true holiness. This is the total opposite of the old man.
But wait. In between the old man and the new man is the mind factor. Let me share some scripture about that:
Romans 12:2: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 Corinthians 2:16: For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
While many today resort to so-called mind altering substances with nothing but deleterious effects, the believer has access to the most beneficial mind renewing program; that which is ministered by the Holy Spirit through relationship with Jesus Christ the Son of God. The believer’s mind is transformed by exposure to the Word of God, prayer, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Old thought patterns are dissolved, and replaced with a good, acceptable, even perfect ability to think upon good and positive things.
Read Philippians 4:6-8:
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
New mind, new man. Put him on. -PJF-
Special Offering for December
The late summer rains caused great flooding in Tenali, Andhra Pradesh, India. Five of the pastors in our group, and their churches suffered great loss. Their main request for assistance is to replace their Bibles that were damaged, and to give Bibles to those who do not have one. For the month of December, we will be collecting a special offering to send Bibles in the Telugu language to our ministry partners in Tenali. Each Bible is $4.50, so we need $450.00 to be able to purchase the 100 Bibles requested. Will you help us to give the precious gift of the Word of God to those who desperately need it?
**************************************************************************
Here is a comforting word as we end 2024 and move in to 2025.
Isaiah 55:8-12
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
A free complete printed copy of this monthly newsletter is available.
Go to "Contact Us" tab and email us your mailing address to receive it.
Purpose! Ministries Inc.
16605 Sunrise Lakes Blvd Suite 6
Clermont, FL 34714
Sundays 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
Join us in person or live on Facebook.
Pastors PJ and Shirley Flores
Purpose! Ministries
A Praying Church - A Healing Church - A Holy Spirit Church - A Preaching Church
© 2024 Purpose! Ministries Inc. All rights reserved.
Comments