Carol J German

If we could see fully like God does, we would live differently. We would have such passion for life if we truly saw what God does for us when Jesus resides in our hearts. We would tune our ears to what the Holy Spirit is telling us as we gladly obey His calling.

Go ahead and read Ephesians 4:17-32. Paul tells us what the Spirit is wanting us to know so we can live alive in Christ. After you read this passage, I want you to go look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself, “I am alive!”

From the first part of Ephesians 4, we learned how united we are as God’s people. There is one body, one Spirit, one glorious hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father who is over all and in all and living through all; verses 4-6. Now, Paul tells us how we are to live accordingly to truth.

ASK YOURSELF: Paul starts out this passage how; see verse 17?

Everything is under God’s authority.

This should make us want to respond whole-heartedly to the Spirit’s leading. This should cause us to make the necessary changes so our lives align with God’s truths and ways.

ASK YOURSELF: The Gentiles represent unbelievers. What does Paul say about them in verses 17-19?

From these verses, we see how God calls believers out of worldly living and to say yes to His ways which leads to eternal life with Christ. Since we learn about Jesus, from studying the Bible, Paul says to throw off our old sinful nature and our former way of living.

ASK YOURSELF: What is wrong with our sinful nature, according to verse 22?

Lust and deception are two killers of our souls. Thank God that He has The Way to get us out of the mess that we find ourselves in. Look at verse 23.

Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, which is Jesus residing inside you! You are created to be like God, truly righteous and holy.

STOP and let God minister to your heart with this verse.

ASK YOURSELF: What is He saying to you? Is the Spirit leading you to making some changes in how you live life?

Verses 25-32 gives us applicable ways to live out verse 23 on a daily basis. We are called to be like Christ and we know that Christ came to love and serve people.

Stop telling lies. Stop letting anger have control. Quit stealing. Don’t use foul and abusive language. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words and slander. Stop all evil behavior. We need to just STOP this destructive way of living. All it does is cause division.

Because God resides within repentant hearts, He deadens these foul desires and ways and replaces them with Himself.

Look at how we are able to live when we allow God to change us from the inside out. We will speak truth to those around us. We are to act like we want to belong to God’s family which means we walk united in love. We will allow God to diffuse the anger within us. We will not allow the devil to dictate our lives any longer! Be productive and work hard as you give generously to those in need.

We are also to speak words of encouragement so others are uplifted. We do not want to sadden the Spirit by the choices we make. We must remember that He has identified us as His very own. We are guaranteed eternal life. Be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving. Christ forgives us so we can forgive others.

My friends, we are so alive in Christ! Let’s not forget who we have become. Let us not forget where God had to pull us out of to save us. The pits of sin are deep, dirty and ugly. Yet, His love is strong enough to pull every generation of people out of despair and place us on a firm foundation of love, hope, and with a vibrant, secure future that goes on forever. Let’s awaken to what is inside us!