Ephesians 4:17-24 (CSB):
17 Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thoughts.
18 They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts.
19 They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more.
20 But that is not how you came to know Christ,
21 assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus,
22 to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires,
23 to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
24 and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.
Introduction:
Dear family,
Last week we explored the first half of Ephesians 4, where Paul painted a beautiful picture of Christian unity. We discussed how the body of Christ functions together, each member playing a vital role in building up the whole.
Today, we shift our focus to verses 17-24, where Paul’s lens zooms in from the communal to the deeply personal.
In this passage, we encounter a striking contrast. While verses 1-16 emphasized our collective calling, today’s text challenges us individually. Paul moves from ‘we’ to ‘you,’ urging each believer to examine their own walk with Christ.
The Old Self: A Life of Futility (verses 17-19)
Paul begins this section by painting a sobering picture of life apart from Christ. And this description should give us pause.
Remember, according to Paul, without Christ, we are:
- Walking in futility
- Darkened in understanding
- Excluded from God’s life
- Ignorant and hard-hearted
- Callous and given over to impurity
And instead of proudly thinking about some unbelievers we know in a finger-pointing posture of condemnation, it’s perhaps better for us to consider and try to recall feeling this way before encountering Christ.
Or even for some of us, in different seasons, do we still struggle with some of these tendencies?
The Transformative Power of Knowing Christ (verses 20-21)
But praise be to God, for in Christ, everything changes!
As Paul goes on to remind us of the radical difference that knowing Christ makes. This isn’t just head knowledge, but a deep, personal encounter with the living God. As John Calvin once wrote, “There is no knowing of Christ without the Gospel; but when we have embraced it by faith, we are said to know Christ.”
Putting Off the Old, Putting On the New (verses 22-24)
Paul then gives us a three-step process for living out our new identity in Christ:
- Take off the old self (v.22)
- Be renewed in the spirit of your minds (v.23)
- Put on the new self (v.24)
And I would submit to you this morning that this is not a one-time event, but a daily process of transformation. Paul is giving us a sort of road map for our continual sanctification, or our daily pursuit of righteousness and purity.
As Martin Luther said, “To progress is always to begin again.”
Each day, we must choose to put off the old and put on the new.
Practical Application:
So, here are some practical takeaways that I want to leave you with from this week’s text. These are ways that we can actively practice putting off the old self and putting on the new.
1. Embrace Your New Identity in Christ
Remember daily who you are in Christ. You are no longer defined by your past or your sins, but by your relationship with Jesus. This profound truth is the bedrock of your spiritual journey.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we read, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” This isn’t mere wishful thinking, but a divine reality. Your identity is now rooted in Christ’s finished work on the cross.
Consider these facets of your new identity:
- You are forgiven and redeemed (Ephesians 1:7)
- You are adopted as God’s child (Romans 8:15-16)
- You are a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
- You are God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10)
Remember that when we’re putting off the old and putting on the new, this is not an effort to earn God’s affection or favor; start with remembering the affection and favor of God in Christ, and this is now your motivation to pursue righteousness. We’re not striving to appease an angry judge, but as children securely adopted into the family of God, we’re offering sacrifices of righteousness to please our father. Remember: what once was a throne of judgment is now a throne of grace.
2. Actively Pursue Renewal of the Mind:
I’ve been immersing myself deeply in spiritual formation by embracing what’s often referred to as “rules of life.” Rules of life are not a new practice; Christians have been pursuing different iterations and versions of rules of life for hundreds and hundreds of years. I am primarily using John Mark Comer’s insightful resources from his book and organization, “Practicing the Way,” This month, I’ll be virtually attending a pastor’s conference focused on spiritual formation.
I already considered this spiritual formation paramount, as I often say, “we cannot compartmentalize the Christian life”. Knowing God, loving Him, obeying Him, and helping others pursue this necessitates a truly holistic approach to following Jesus.
Some discussions that we have had recently have highlighted the urgency of growth in this area for not just myself but for Harbinger, and I now see it as a vital path we all need to tread together as a family. My vision is to build a communal framework where we can all pursue this together, encouraging, supporting and inspiring one another. I am excited to share more robust insights in the coming months. For now, in this morning’s homily, I’ll provide a brief overview of how we can actively renew our minds.
Remember, this journey isn’t about rigid legalism or earning favor; it’s about cultivating intentional rhythms that bring us closer to our Lord.
Consider these nine pillars:
- Communion with God: Prioritize daily prayer and meditation.
- Fidelity to Orthodoxy: Stand firm in the truth of God’s Word.
- Peace and Solitude: Create space for quiet reflection with God.
- Holiness and Fasting: Practice self-discipline to focus on spiritual growth.
- Rest and Sabbath: Honor God’s rhythm of work and rest.
- Community and Love: Engage deeply with fellow believers.
- Contentment and Generosity: Cultivate gratitude and open-handedness.
- Hospitality and Witness: Welcome others and share your faith.
- Justice and Service: Actively work for God’s kingdom in the world.
Conclusion:
Precious children, we have been given a great gift in Christ – a new identity, a renewed mind, and a new way of living. Let us not take this lightly, but instead, let us daily put off the old and put on the new, living as those who truly know Christ and are being transformed into His likeness.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, we thank you for the new life we have in you. Help us to daily put off our old selves and put on the new, being renewed in our minds and living out the righteousness and holiness that come from you. May our lives be a testament to your transforming power. In your name we pray, Amen.