The Apostle Paul speaking to us in Ephesians 4 on what is required as true followers of Christ with our thoughts, behaviors and attitudes in growing and strengthening our faith.   He tells us in Ephesians 4:17,18 not to walk as the rest of Gentiles(non-believers) in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.  (See Rom. 1:21; Eph. 2:2)

That is how I lived my life[a non-believer} for most of my adult life  I never read the Bible, did very little praying, and had no desire to really get to know God.   My heart was darkened – totally separated from Christ.  I was blind to the truth of the Gospel, ignorant, and a fool for pursuing what the world had to offer with little regard or thoughts to the loving ways of Christ. 

Many Christians today are doing that very same thing.  They say they believe in Christ but have not made the personal commitment to live for Him nor truly obey His will and His ways.  Many know about God, but don’t really know God in a personal loving way.  They spent no time in prayer nor are willing to completely submit their lives to Christ choosing to be in control for themselves -  believing they know better than God on how best to live their lives.

 The Apostle Paul then explains that if we have heard and been taught by the truth of Jesus Christ in v 21, that we need then to  v22  “ Put off, concerning your former conduct, your old man which grows corrupt according to deceitful lusts, v23  and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,  v24  and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”  (see Colossians 3:8; Rom. 12:2; Rom. 6:4; Rom. 7:6; 2 Cor.5:17)

Permit me then to paraphrase the behaviors, attitudes, and thoughts that Paul says are needed to walk as Christ walked in Ephesians 4:25 – 32

v25  Put away lying – speak only the truth

v26  Be angry and do not sin.  Do not let the sun go down on your wrath  v27  Nor give place to the devil

v29  Let no corrupt word proceed from your mouth but do and say what is good in building up others

v30  Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption

v31  Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice

v32  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God in Christ has forgiven you.

Are your thoughts, attitudes and behaviors in line with what Paul is speaking to us ?   Are you angry, in despair or anxious ?  We all need to dig deep, identify and be honest with ourselves with what we truly need to work on.  These are all things to help us walk in the light and guide us on a better way to live. 

Let me leave you with this verse found in 1 Corinthians 8:6  “ There is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.”

Are you living through Christ ?  Start today – Don’t delay and change your life - Let the power of God’s words speak to you and be filled with a peace and joy beyond measure.  

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