Instructions for Christian Living

June 19, 2016

Ephesians

Chapter 4, Part 2
Instructions for Christian Living

Ephesians 4:17-24
17 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. 18 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. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 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; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Paul starts off this section by saying, you used to be one way but now you are different. Live like it!

He uses the term “Gentiles” as symbolism for who they were before they became followers of Jesus. Today, we can just as easily swap that with Americans, or westerners or millennials.

This verse gives the option of a turning point to the readers… If you choose to go down the path of looking like God: everything from here on (in Ephesians) applies to you. If you ignore this: it doesn’t matter how much you try on some of the specifics, you’ve already missed the mark.

19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

This is a perfect explanation of where our society is. We are so desensitized to the sin around us, that sometimes we don't even see it! There are so many things that we think are normal that are actually sin. We think they are progress in our society, but they're indulging in impurity and getting stuck in greed.

Sensuality - the enjoyment, expression, or pursuit of physical pleasure. (things you can - see, hear, smell, taste, feel)

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 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; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

The command is to, “put off your old self..." This is an action step. Our identity is not determined by our action, but our ability to step up to action is based on our identity.

Ephesians 1:4
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

Ephesians 1:7
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us.

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

A lot of times lying to people in the church comes from not wanting people around us to really know who we are. We need to be a church that is REAL with the people around us.

26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

Anger is an emotional response, and sometimes it’s a healthy one but its also possible to sin in your anger. Take your thoughts captive, and work through the issues that make you angry, especially within the church.

28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

Stealing might not be our big issue, but for a lot of people, laziness is. This verse is saying to work for you and your family, but also to share with those who have needs. That’s not extra, that’s a part of the reason for work.

29 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.

it’s not JUST that you shouldn't say bad words, everything you say should be wholesome to the people around you. When you open your mouth, are people built up and benefitted, or are they torn down and hurt?

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Some of us have past hurts that completely skew our view of the Church, and we have been harboring hurt, anger, or even hatred of Christians because of what they’ve done. If you are bitter and angry, you need to work through that with God’s help.

32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Forgiveness is very hard, but it has to be done. Harboring bitterness will kill you and everyone around you, not the person you are bitter towards. No matter what someone has done, when we reflect Christ, we are kind and compassionate to one another

Communication Card

I will work to re-sensitize myself to the sin around me, so I can call it when I see it.
I will read Ephesians 4:25-32 again, and evaluate where my heart truly is with each verse.
I will read through Ephesians once this week.