Living A Godly Life

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Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24 (NLT)

17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Devotion:

            This scripture serves as a warning and instruction on how not to live as members of the body of Christ; and in the last four verses it is instruction on how to live as brothers and sisters in Christ. These words were originally addressed to a church living in a pagan city that was very much opposed to the message of Jesus. Today, in America our culture is fast approaching that of ancient Ephesus in its morality and piety. We as Christians must live differently than our surrounding culture.

            The scripture passage begins with a recital of the immorality of the culture in verses seventeen through nineteen. These verses could well be written about our culture today. Cultures that have known and rejected God all seem to fall into the same vices. The confusion of our modern culture is quite clear to any Christian who takes seriously their faith. In our culture there is no clarity about right and wrong. People are confused about every aspect of their lives. Even the art produced by our culture proclaims this lack of clear thinking. The culture has as the scripture says hardened their hearts against God. Not only are they confused in their thinking, but they have come to like it that way.

            Opposed to this is the life we learned about Christ in the pages of the Bible. A Christian is called to no longer be confused in his or her mind. We are called to study the way of Christ found in the scriptures and be informed of the right way to live in the world. Rejecting all the flaws of the world and clinging to the way of love taught by Jesus. Instead of hardened hearts we are to have an open heart and mind to learn and follow the ways of God. Our attitudes are to be changed to reflect the new life we have when we first believed in Christ. Gone are our lusts and lies replaced by passion and truth in Jesus Christ our Lord. Let us ask for God to keep us safe in Christ:

Prayer:

            Lord, hear our prayer today. Keep us from the ways of the world by the renewal of our minds in Christ Jesus. Help us live our lives in a way that brings glory and honor to our one true Lord. Keep us in your care O God. Make us walk in the ways and teachings of the faith. Amen.

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