In a New Way of Life

Like many of Paul's letters, the first part of Ephesians (1-3) is very doctrine heavy. At chapter four, Paul begins with very practical instructions, which continues through the remainder of the book. The practical section of the book may seem much easier to understand, but applying these things to life are not so easy.

We have already seen that when we are in Christ, we are in eternal life, but we are also now living in a new way of life. Paul tells the Ephesian church they must no longer walk as the Gentiles do. He is talking to Gentiles, but by saying this, he is reminding them they are now part of a new kingdom. So, he is telling them don't walk the way you used to, the way the world around you does.

Paul then explains why the world lives as it does. People in the world (or outside of Christ) are:

• darkened in their understanding
• alienated from the life of God because of ignorance
• callous
• given up to sensuality
• greedy to practice impurity

What makes the people of God, those in Christ, different? We have learned Christ - we were taught about him and taught in him. And in him, we were taught to put off the old self and put on the new self created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Put off your old self corrupted through deceitful desires	Put on the new self created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness
Put away falsehood	Speak the truth
Don’t hold on to anger	Be angry and sin not
Don’t steal	Do honest work
No corrupt talk	Build up with your words
Get rid of bitterness, anger, wrath, clamor, slander and malice	Be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving

Just do these things. Simple, right? Yet, if your life is anything like mine, there are many days where I don't feel like my life has much association with "true righteousness and holiness."

In part, this is because of the deceptive desires of our flesh. How many times have you decided you're not going to do that one sin? You know which one. The one you just can't seem to overcome.

I'm not going to do THAT today. Not. Going. To. Do. It. Oh dang, I did it again.

I think that's why Paul gives us the list of things to put off and to put on. This helps us change our perspective. Let me explain with an example.

Millions of people try dieting. They might say, "I'm not going to eat any sweets today." Three hours later, they've plopped an Oreo in their mouth. "Well, I've ruined my diet today, I might as well eat this whole package of Oreos. I deserve to be a big cow anyway."

That's kind of how I dieted in the past, but I learned something about my mental conversations. If I say, "No sweets for me today. No cookies. No pie or cake, like chocolate cake. No triple-layer, moist, sweet, chocolate cake. Mmm, chocolate cake. I need chocolate cake."

The more I focus on what I want to take out of my life, the more my flesh deceives me into thinking I need it. It's not really that bad anyway. It's just a little sin, and Jesus already died for it anyway. He is faithful and just - I'll just confess.

But, what happens if I focus instead on the good things I need to bring into my life. "Today, I'm going to eat a big salad." Or, "Today, I want to show kindness to everyone I meet. That's my goal." When someone comes along who makes you want to hit them in the head with a stick, you say to yourself, "Kindness, kindness, kindness," instead of "don't hit them, don't hit them, hit them."

Another way to change your thinking is to realign your motives. So often we make our lists of things we have to do and can't do if we are Christians. The pride of our flesh fights so hard against this. "You can't tell me what to do." If you have ever felt this, perhaps you need a better motivator.

One of the verses that has helped me adjust my motivation was 2 Corinthians 7:1:

 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

Out of the fear of God, or some translations say, "out of reverence for God." Is the God you serve worth of all reverence? Is He worthy of you sacrificing your flesh? If not, I'd love to introduce you to the living God who spoke the world into existence. Who created humanity, and sent his own Son to take their punishment when they rebelled and sinned against him. He is worthy of any and every sacrifice we make. Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is your reasonable act of worship.

Lately, I have also been allowing 2 Timothy 2:20-21 to motivate me towards holiness.

Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

Because God is so worthy, and has done so much already for me, I want to be useful to him. That can only happen if I put off the old self and put on the new. It can only happen if we walk in a new way of life.