Ephesians 4:20-24

Day 36

“But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” Ephesians 4:20-24

Prior to coming to faith in Christ, Gentiles lived in “the futility of their minds,” living without knowledge or understanding. By contrast, believers in Jesus Christ “learn…have heard…have been taught…the truth.” Specifically, Christians anchor their understanding of reality to the person of Jesus Christ, “just as truth is in Jesus.” (Ephesians 4:21) Objectively, the fundamental truths about God, creation, life, death, eternity, morality, ethics, relationships, and anything else that matters, are found in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the answer to every significant “why” question.  Why did God create the universe? And why did God save sinners and grant them eternal life? God created the universe and saved sinners for “the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.” (Ephesians 1:10)  From creation to salvation, God answers all questions with the resounding declaration of “Jesus Christ is Lord!” God orchestrated all divine and human activities for the exalting of God the Son, Jesus Christ, through the work of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God the Father. So naturally, as the conversation moves from the “why” of creation and salvation to the question of personal and corporate ethics, Paul pointed the church to the person of Jesus again.  How then should we live, if God so created us and saved us through His Son?  Jesus.  He is the answer to the ethical and moral questions for our daily choices. Consider the following verses that point us to Jesus as the ethical standard for how we are to live.  “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)  “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” (John 13:14-15)  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”  (John 13:34)  “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)  “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” (I Corinthians 11:1)  Jesus Christ provides the model for Christian behavior.  We observe His life, attitude, relationships, morality, and ethics.  As Christians, we now seek to imitate this life.

Practically, how are we to live out the concept of “everything is really about Jesus Christ?” Paul used two verbs to illustrate the pattern of life for the believer. First, believers should “lay aside” their old life. Second, believers should “put on a new life.” Both words come from the world of fashion.  If a garment doesn’t match or fit, then it should be cast aside or thrown away.  If a garment reveals ugly stains or tears, then it should be discarded.  On the other hand, if a garment fits well and looks great, that garment should be worn. To Paul, the choices we use to make in our life prior to coming to faith in Jesus are just like an item of clothing that does not fit.  Those choices should be cast aside.  The specific choices that Paul had in mind, the behaviors of “the old life,” can be found in the verses that follow, such as “do not lie,” “don’t be angry,” “put aside malice and bitterness,” and “do not get drunk.” Those choices no longer fit for anyone who knows Christ and has been taught about Him. Instead, we are to “put on” “speaking the truth to one another,” “be kind…forgiving each other,” and “giving thanks.”  The theme of the before and after life continues throughout the Ephesian letter.  The old ethical life of living for ourselves and concerned only with ourselves must be cast aside for a new life model after Jesus in which we live for Him and the good of others.

Suggested Prayer: Father, search my heart to show me the attitudes, thoughts, motives, words, and actions that do not fit the life of a follower of Your Son. Open my eyes to the virtues that are consistent with Christ that I might wear those attitudes and actions in my daily life. Amen. 

Ephesians