seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Ephesians 4:17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 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.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Here's a link to the commentary.Put off… the old man… put on the new man: This has the same idea of putting off or putting on a set of clothes. The idea is to “change into” a different kind of conduct.
Think of a prisoner who is released from prison, but still wears his prison clothes and acts like a prisoner and not as a free man. The first thing to tell that person is that they should put on some new clothes.
Yesterday I was at a craft show. It's probably my last, as I fell while trying to set up. This blind eye of mine causes me to fall. I don't have to trip, I just fall. I'm really grieving the reality... sorry.... Anyway... As I told you yesterday, I crocheted a Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus in a manger. I said that I thought a little girl [because I'm a girl] would fall in love with it and tell me about Jesus. Well.... One lady who was working at the craft show didn't recognize Jesus, Mary, or Joseph at all. That's ok though.... a lady did!!! She saw Mary and the baby [didn't see Joseph at first] and she just went right for them. She asked me how much, and I told her I could not "sell" Jesus. I gave Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to her.... and she was delighted. Then she bought another doll that I hand sculpted. On top of that.... right after Mary, Joseph, and Jesus left, a little girl came up who looked exactly like a doll I made about a month ago. Everyone agreed.... It made me so very happy! The verses today are called "Instructions for Christian Living". Paul wrote, or dictated these instructions. I have a lot of respect for what a liar or a cheat has to say about changing their ways. I have a lot of respect for people who stop smoking or drinking. I have a lot of respect for people who quit being a bum when they find Jesus.
As usual, though, I don't quite agree with Paul. I don't think someone who has been slithering through life can just get up and be bright by himself. I don't think a leopard changes his spots.
I think Bill W had it right when he put together the twelve-step program to stop drinking. The first step is "Accepting the fact you have a problem, and need to change and can't do it yourself." You are instructed to reach out to a "higher power".
Telling someone to change in order to prove they are a Christian is rude!!!!
When someone has accepted Jesus as their personal Savior.... They will crave different things. Oh, it may not happen overnight.... but it will happen. Those of you who smoke, or have smoked, know how hard it is. Only Jesus can make the difference. Letting Jesus help. Jesus knows what's going on and He's willing to help.
When you Believe and Accept Jesus as your personal Savior.... a Spirit [the Spirit] is awakened. God knew you were going to Believe and Accept. He could see it when He considered your future as He counted the hairs for your head. God created you and there has been an ember there all along. When you Believe and Accept, the ember comes to life and causes a desire to grow. It's Natural.... It's from God... You can't buy it from Amazon.
A drunk who has not considered his higher power, is just a dry drunk. That's what I was told. Paul's Instructions... seem to be more like bing a dry drunk instead of sober.
But that's what these verses are about....
Instructions for Christian Living... according to Paul... part 1
