In Ephesians 4:22-24, the Apostle Paul gives us a direct command that requires our active, willing participation: "...put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." We are not called to be passive bystanders in our spiritual health. God has given us the Spirit-empowered capacity to make choices that align with our new identity. But what does exercising this agency actually look like?
Paul doesn't leave us with a vague metaphor. In the verses that immediately follow (Ephesians 4:25-32), he maps out exactly how this God-given agency translates into everyday Ethical Goodness. We are at our Christian best when our theology hits the pavement of our relationships and daily habits:
- Put off falsehood, put on truth (v. 25)
- Put off destructive anger, put on reconciliation (v. 26-27)
- Put off stealing, put on generosity (v. 28)
- Put off corrupting talk, put on edification (v. 29)
- Put off bitterness, put on forgiveness (v. 31-32)
BUT it is crucial to remember the order of operations here. We do not exercise this agency to earn God’s love. Rather, our actions are built on a foundation that we are already securely loved, saved, and seated with Christ. Because we already have that unshakeable identity, we are completely free to do the hard work of shedding the old, decaying habits of our past and to surround our lives with the new, life-giving habits of the Spirit.
Don't forget to pick up your Ephesians Bible Studies from the foyer - or you can download them here - a very special thanks to Greg Burke for putting the studies together.
Please also keep praying for our church finances - and considering or reconsidering how you could help partner with us in Gospel ministry and to bring our church back to financial sustainability. The financial update document (in all languages) is available. I and the wardens have been visiting congregations and if we haven't visited yours yet, we will soon!
