# 24 2018 Dev. Eph. 4:22-24. A Jesus Lifestyle! Read verses 17-32. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw Gremar and I closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.
Eph. 4: 22-24 “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 in this passage sets direction for a righteous and holy life style; he draws a stark contrast of life without Christ and a life with Christ. It goes without saying that Paul is talking about our daily actions, our lifestyle as followers of Jesus.
Paul of course is writing to former Gentiles as described by their former lifestyles. Does what Paul is saying connect with followers of Jesus today?
A second question: does Paul have something to say to people like myself: born and raised in the church and considered himself a Christian at the beginning? The answer to these questions is: Yes! Absolutely!
Paul begins with describing a lifestyle of those separated from God, those who do not and cannot understand due to the hardening of their hearts. That is not the lifestyle we have learned that is “the truth that is in Jesus”. We have been recreated “to be like God in righteousness and holiness”. However, sanctification begins with Jesus and ends with His return, it is on going in our lives. For everyone, redemption begins with turning to Jesus, accepting His love and putting our trust in Him, it is a matter of faith. Even so Paul continues to warn us “do not grieve the Holy Spirit”, get rid of bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” We may think that we are not subject to that sort of lifestyle and Paul’s warning is not for us, but if that is our attitude we are living a “la la land” life.
So, do build people up as needed, may your conversations benefit others: v 32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”. Good advice for how to live and how not to live in a Jesus lifestyle!
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