Friday
Ephesians 4:17 - 5:21
The Apostle Paul is writing to the fledgling church in the city of Ephesus, an ancient Greek city on the coast of Ionia. In the opening verses of Chapter 4 in the letter to the Ephesians, he has been dealing with nature of the local church and the part each member has to play in its operation and growth. In verse 17, he turns to the Christian in relationship to an unbelieving world. Though this account was written almost 2,000 year ago, it is disappointing to see the world has changed very little.
He writes to the Ephesians (and us) “You Christians must no longer live as the Gentiles do in the futility of their thinking.” The word “futility” means void of purpose, or pointless. If this is true, then it is obvious - you can see why there is such a fundamental cleavage between Christians and other beliefs of the world. Christians must live as new people. The place to start living as a Christians is to recognize you must be thinking differently than the rest of the world does.
In the remaining verses, (4:24 – 5:21), Paul give 17 commands that address every aspect of the Christian walk, all relating to the lifestyle of truth; making specific contrasts between unbelieving Gentiles and followers of Jesus.
Lord, change my way of thinking because growth and change begins there. Teach me to think not on my own accord with my human instincts, but with truth and love as it is revealed in your word. Amen
Al Shepard
Ephesians 4:17 - 5:21
The Apostle Paul is writing to the fledgling church in the city of Ephesus, an ancient Greek city on the coast of Ionia. In the opening verses of Chapter 4 in the letter to the Ephesians, he has been dealing with nature of the local church and the part each member has to play in its operation and growth. In verse 17, he turns to the Christian in relationship to an unbelieving world. Though this account was written almost 2,000 year ago, it is disappointing to see the world has changed very little.
He writes to the Ephesians (and us) “You Christians must no longer live as the Gentiles do in the futility of their thinking.” The word “futility” means void of purpose, or pointless. If this is true, then it is obvious - you can see why there is such a fundamental cleavage between Christians and other beliefs of the world. Christians must live as new people. The place to start living as a Christians is to recognize you must be thinking differently than the rest of the world does.
In the remaining verses, (4:24 – 5:21), Paul give 17 commands that address every aspect of the Christian walk, all relating to the lifestyle of truth; making specific contrasts between unbelieving Gentiles and followers of Jesus.
Lord, change my way of thinking because growth and change begins there. Teach me to think not on my own accord with my human instincts, but with truth and love as it is revealed in your word. Amen
Al Shepard
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