Day 4

Show Christ in Your Life

A follower of Christ is called to live a radically different kind of life, as Ephesians 4:20 reminds us. Having “heard about Christ” (v. 21) and being “taught in him” (v. 21), we are to put off our old selves and put on a new self in a “self transplant”.

The old self is the sinful nature, the instrument of our “former way of life” that is “corrupted by its deceitful desires” (v. 22). The new self is God’s new creation of the regenerated self; it is “created to be like God” (v. 24). This new nature within us enables us to be holy and righteous as we trust in Christ and allow the Spirit to do His sanctifying work in us (1 Peter 1:2). Without this “self transplant” performed by God in us, we cannot live as Christians or live in heaven.

There are three areas in which radical transformation can be seen when we put off the old self. Each has to do with one of the Ten Commandments: the ninth (Exodus 20:16), the eighth (20:15), and the sixth (20:13). With each example, Paul continues to apply the idea of “putting on” the new self and “putting off” the old self.

Firstly, each believer is urged to put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbour (Ephesians 4:25): there should be integrity in his speech, communication, and relationships. The reason—”for we are all members of one body”—is that if the various parts of our body practise deceit when they communicate with one another, we will have a sick, confused, and paralysed body. How much more true this will be in the church, where we are to speak the truth in love (v. 15).

Secondly, we must avoid sinning when we get angry (v. 26). Becoming angry is a visceral response and we may not be able to prevent it, but what we do next determines whether we sin or not. Anger must be quickly dealt with in a godly way and must not be allowed to linger over to the next day. To harbour anger and bitterness is to allow the devil to gain a foothold in our lives. The devil is happy to provoke our anger to boiling point or to let it simmer for a long time and thus destroy our souls; anger is like acid that harms the vessel in which it is stored. Jesus revealed the connection between nursing anger and murder (Matthew 5:21-22).

Thirdly, he who used to steal must stop (Ephesians 4:28). People steal for various reasons, such as laziness and greed. The transformed believer must now work (no more laziness) and from his wages share with those in need (no more greed). This illustrates the “putting off” and “putting on” concept. We are not only to renounce sin, but also to pursue goodness.

Think Through
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Adapted from Journey Through Ephesians by Robert M. Solomon

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Revere God and Submit to Authorities
Read 1 Peter 2:18-20

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Persevere in Trials
Read James 1:1-4

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