Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians

Part 16

The next section of Ephesians we will be studying is comprised of verses 17-32 of chapter 4…the NASB95 subtitles it "The Christian’s Walk". Wiersbe divides these verses into three subsections, using his wonderful alliteration again: The Admonition (17-19), The Argument (20-24), and The Application (25-32).

Again, I happily adopt Wiersbe’s organization and alliteration, but will take exception with his theological emphasis. He begins this section of Ephesians with this introduction:

The Bible was written to be obeyed, and not simply studied, and this is why the words "therefore" and "wherefore" are repeated so often in the second half of Ephesians. Paul was saying, "Here is what Christ has done for you. Now, in the light of this, here is what we ought to do for Christ." We are to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only (James 1:22). The fact that we have been called in Christ ought to motivate us to walk in unity. And the fact that we have been raised from the dead should motivate us to walk in purity, or, as Paul told the Romans, "walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4). We are alive in Christ, not dead in sins; therefore "put off the old man...and put on the new man". Take off the grave-clothes and put on the grace-clothes!

Some of you may be asking, "Well, what’s wrong with that emphasis?" "Certainly seems reasonable and correct to my way of thinking." My objection is simple: Where does this line of logic lead me to look…at Christ, or at myself? Phrases like "ought to do for Christ" and "ought to motivate us" seems to me to be a complete denial of Living Grace…instead of depending upon Christ to be my Life Source, I, out of gratitude for His Saving Grace, respond to the word "ought" and attempt to show my appreciation by living my life for Jesus. It’s as though gratitude is a better motivation than obligation, when in fact, it’s just another form of obligation.

I agree, the Bible is written to be obeyed, but it’s imperative to understand that the only "obedience" acceptable to God is perfect obedience…He does not grade on the curve! Where does obedience acceptable to God originate? Only with Jesus Christ…He alone perfectly obeyed His Father and only His expression of life in and through me will ever create lifestyle changes that amount to anything that could be pleasing to God the Father. Always remember, it’s what God did for us (taking away the penalty and record of our sins at Calvary) that gives us a right standing (righteousness) before Him…what He does in us (Living Grace) gives us the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10) and makes us "useful" in His kingdom building here and now. Our focus must always be on Jesus…and Jesus alone!!!

In verses 17-19, Paul described the way unbelievers live:

So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

What does Paul mean by his admonition, "walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk"?

Perhaps his best description of the lifestyle of one who is living apart from God is found in Romans 1:18-32:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.
For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

Is Paul saying that Jews walk (live) better than Gentiles?

Perhaps a clearer translation is the NCV: In the Lord’s name, I tell you this. Do not continue living like those who do not believe. Their thoughts are worth nothing.

The distinction is not between Jews and Gentiles, but between believers and non-believers. I think that Paul is saying the key difference between believers and those who don’t yet believe is the way they think…Proverbs 23:7 gives a clear description of every human: For as he thinks within himself, so he is…. People are the way they are, cause they think the way they do. Change the thinking and the lifestyle will change.

How does one go about changing his way of thinking?

Utilize the latest behavior modification techniques?

Exercise thought control?

Confess to God that his present thinking stinks and trust Jesus to bring about new ways of thinking?

The conversion process (changing from a non-believer to a believer) usually begins when a person becomes frustrated with their present life…they discover that their present way of thinking (living) is not meeting their needs. The first step in this process is called confession (saying the same thing as God says about your present life)…and what does God say about the life of an unbeliever?

Their thinking is messed up…

They’re headed in the wrong direction…

What they are experiencing is not life…it’s Satan’s counterfeit…

He has provided a solution…the cross!

They are forgiven and He just wants to be friends!

The second step is called repentance…changing one’s mind…deciding to agree with what God says…I have been wrong, God is right…I agree with Him! When this takes place, God comes to live inside us, just like He lived inside Adam and Eve…we have been born again and God becomes our Life Source!

When God is our Life Source, we will not walk as the non-believers walk…cause we will have the mind of God and our thinking will no longer be futile.

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