This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Ephesians 4:17-19
Now that God has opened the heavenlies to us, blessed us with every spiritual blessing, revealed His purpose of bringing the gentiles into His kingdom as fellow heirs, given us gifts to function supernaturally with, and poured His love out on us all so that we can reveal His wisdom to the whole creation, one question remains. Why are we walking around like unsaved people; like nothing happened? We are no longer sin-numbed people who need to give ourselves over to increasing the intensity of experiences through sin so we can feel something. Our minds (and lives) are no longer futile. We have the hope of eternity in our hearts.
The Light has come to enlighten our understanding. Our Brother has paid our ransom price in full to eliminate the alienation we experienced from God as hostages to Satan through ignorance of sins hold over us. We are no longer blind; we need only to open our eyes. Then we will see that we had become partners with the uncleanness we pursued greedily so we could feel alive.
This is not what we have learned in Christ. We have learned to put off the behaviors of our past along with the old person we carry in us and to put on the new man that is created in us at salvation along with the new lifestyle that comes with that new life. In this way we renew our mental, emotional, and social conditions. Those new behaviors include honesty (especially with fellow believers), not allowing our anger to drive us to sin, and managing our mouths to encourage others not tear them down. Instead we are to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving. God has made it so that we can walk worthy of the calling He has given us.
Father, thank You for everything You have provided so that I can be like Jesus. I commit to lay hold of these provisions and use them to renew my life from the inside out. As I use these gifts help me keep my eyes on Your Son Jesus so that I will use them properly to minister to my sphere of influence and they will shape me into Your Holiness. When I am off track confront me early. I choose to open my eyes and see Your light. Keep my heart soft to You and those around me.
Blessed In Him,
Pastor Jason
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