S) "17 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. 20 But you did not learn Christ in this way,"
Ephesians 4:17-20 (NASB)
O) This chapter starts with Paul admonishing us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling (v.1), and the entire chapter is very rich in instruction, meaning, and discipline. Paul continues from these verses, telling us to put on the new self (v.24), but it's worth noting that the Greek word is "anthropos," which simply means "man" and is likely a reference back to the church being the body of Christ (vv.12-16). There was a lot to pull from this chapter, but the reason my focus came upon just the four verses above, and the reason I only highlighted through v.20, is because this part of the paragraph sheds light on purpose on a macro level. Paul starts with the observation that the Ephesians previously walked as the Gentiles walked. They were the people he goes on describing, but they aren't those people any longer. However, apparently, they were being tempted into their old ways. However, Paul keeps the divide clear, and as he describes the Gentile way of walking, he says "their" and "them" because that is not who the Ephesians were any more, if they are truly in Christ, having put on the new man (i.e., in the body of Christ). After giving a brutally honest description of the terrible state of beings apart from Christ, Paul reminds the church again, that they did not learn Christ in this way. That verse holds a very important choice of verb, with regard to becoming a Christian. He said they didn't learn Christ this way. Paul is reminding the church that who they were should not be like who they are. Paul is reminding them that they learned of Christ, but not by observing the way of the world according to Gentiles. They learned of Christ from Paul himself, when he walked with them and talked with them, and led by example, and showed them what it means to be a Christian, and how that is different from their old ways. Paul is reminding the Ephesians, that their behavior is teaching the world something. The only way they could teach the world about Christ, is if they walked as Christ did.
A) The point here, is that my life, my behavior, should identify me as a Christian long before any words could. The point is that my life and behavior should reflect Christ. If me being a Christian hasn't changed how I act, talk, walk, and relate to people, then what's the allure for the world to become a Christian? On the contrary, when my actions reflect Christ, and they stand in stark contrast to ways of the world, then I have something to offer them. There is something for them to learn from me, and by the grace of God, they will see the gospel's effect on my life and they'll be drawn to know more about Christ. They will not learn Christ by me acting like them. But, beyond behavior, what does this mean for me? This goes to a deeper level of motivation. This concept will only really take root, as I focus on glorifying Christ. If my goal is to be morally superior, then I have missed the point entirely. Morally superior is, by definition, moral relativism. That's not something I can offer the world, because they already have that. However, if my goal is the superiority of Christ, then I have something truly unique, truly beautiful, truly valuable, and truly alluring.
A) The point here, is that my life, my behavior, should identify me as a Christian long before any words could. The point is that my life and behavior should reflect Christ. If me being a Christian hasn't changed how I act, talk, walk, and relate to people, then what's the allure for the world to become a Christian? On the contrary, when my actions reflect Christ, and they stand in stark contrast to ways of the world, then I have something to offer them. There is something for them to learn from me, and by the grace of God, they will see the gospel's effect on my life and they'll be drawn to know more about Christ. They will not learn Christ by me acting like them. But, beyond behavior, what does this mean for me? This goes to a deeper level of motivation. This concept will only really take root, as I focus on glorifying Christ. If my goal is to be morally superior, then I have missed the point entirely. Morally superior is, by definition, moral relativism. That's not something I can offer the world, because they already have that. However, if my goal is the superiority of Christ, then I have something truly unique, truly beautiful, truly valuable, and truly alluring.
P) Father, thank You for the gospel. Thank You for changing me, shaping me, disciplining me to be more and more like Your Son. I pray that the world takes notice, that I am not like them. I pray that the differences between me and the world are never minimized, rationalized, or muted. On the contrary, I pray that they are undeniably caused by Your grace at work upon me. I pray that my walk is irresistibly reflecting Your glory. Let my words, actions, and faith be on plain display, that the world around me might learn something more, something true, something beautiful about Christ. Help me to be bold with my testimony. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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