Leaving our old ways behind (Ephesians 4:17-24)!

Before we examine the text, let me say that this passage falls into three divisions. In verses 17-19, Paul is talking about the Christ follower's new relationship to the world in which we live. In verses 22-24, he describes the Christ follower's relationship to the flesh, our old nature. And in between, in verses 20-21, Paul is reminding us that in coming to faith in Jesus we learned a new way of life through Him who is the Truth. These are vitally important truths because they're foundational to our thinking and conduct as Christ followers! In other words, these truths are to be understood, embraced, and practiced in order to bring glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ! Let's examine verses 17-19 (putting the world behind us). We read, "So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart, 19 and they having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness." Remember, Paul is describing our previous condition as unbelievers! Not a pretty sight! As unbelievers, we were pawns of Satan, under his dominion, carrying out his dictates. Satan was exercising hard control over our lives. We were spiritually dead. Now that we have been born again (new life from God), in Jesus we have been raised from our dead state spiritually to newness of life. Praise God forevermore!! And because of this, we are to renounce the world and its rule over us. This is what Paul is encouraging every Christ follower to do in verses 17-19. Earlier in this letter, Paul implored us "to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called" (Eph. 4:1). The word "worthy" pictures the idea of living in such a way as to match one's position in Christ. Paul is encouraging the Christ follower to be everything the Lord desires and empowers them to be! Being born again is meant to reverse the way we once lived, apart from Jesus Christ. Being born again is the coming into our lives, God the Holy Spirit! When He comes, He comes with a new set of loves, desires, and wants. I don't know about you but I'm so glad that He did! It enables me to walk in newness of life, which brings glory and honor to the Father God! That, my friends, is what living as Christ followers is all about. It just doesn't get any better than that! Let's not continue walking as if we're excluded from the life of God! Your move. Be encouraged!