Taught In Christ

In reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self when you come to Christ. That old self is being corrupted in accordance with the lust of deceit. But you have laid aside the old self, and you have become renewed in the spirit of your mind and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. That’s exactly what 210 says. God has ordained that we walk in good works. Here, God has created us in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

We are dramatically different. When Paul wrote Ephesians, he also at the same time wrote Colossians. Turn over to Colossians chapter 3, just a few more thoughts. Chapter 3 verse 1, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth. This is exactly what Peter says. Add to your faith moral excellence, which is virtue, and all those other things that we read. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

You’re a completely new creature, and when Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. That’s security. When Christ comes in glory, you’ll be there. Because you were raised with Christ, because you were seated at the right hand of God with Christ, you’ll be there when He comes to reign. Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come on the sons of disobedience.

In them, you also once walked when you were living in them. You once walked that way, but now you also put them all aside, anger, wrath, malice, slander, abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the one who created Him. I mean, the language here is so rich. You have been transformed, totally transformed, and you see the reality of that in your righteousness, in your godliness, and in your virtue, even though it falls short.

Now back to Ephesians chapter 4 verse 1. Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called. Walk worthy of this calling. This is a calling of salvation call. Walk worthy with this calling, consistent with its godly and righteous nature. Verse 17 again, walk no longer as the gentiles walk, not like you used to, don’t go that way. Chapter 5 verse 2, walk in love, just as Christ loved you. Verse 8, walk as children of light. Verse 15, walk wisely.

In other words, this is a call for obedience. This is the definition of the Christian life. It’s a walk, it’s a step at a time, one step at a time, peripatine, from which we get the English word peripatetic, which means to walk around. We live the Christian life one step at a time, one day at a time, one moment at a time. Romans 8, Galatians 5 says we walk in the Spirit. Second Corinthians 5 says we walk by faith. Second John, Third John says we walk in truth. First John 2 says we walk as Christ walks.

This is the evidence of true salvation. This is the evidence. And that is what Paul says. Go back to chapter 4 of Ephesians. Since you have laid aside the old self, verse 22, since you are being renewed in the Spirit of your mind, verse 23, since you have put on the new self that had already been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth and bears the likeness of God, verse 25, therefore, this is how you live, this is how you live. You lay aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbour, for we are members of one another.

You’re angry, but you don’t sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger. You don’t give the devil an opportunity. Verse 28, you don’t steal anymore, you share. Verse 29, your speech is not filthy, it’s edifying. Verse 30, you don’t grieve the Holy Spirit who is grieved by unrighteousness. Yes, you were sealed for the day of redemption. That’s your security. But if you want to enjoy assurance, let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, and this is the key.

It doesn’t say, if you do this, God in Christ will forgive you. It says you do this because God in Christ what has forgiven you. You don’t earn your salvation, but this is how it is manifest. So that’s the character of this section of Ephesians that we barely touched. In fact, that was one page in my notes. But the messages are simple and profoundly important. The Lord wants you to enjoy your salvation, not just in heaven, but now. He wants you to have peace and joy and hope and assurance, even though you’re under the powerful preaching of the Word of God, even though you understand the high standard of holiness, even though you feel strong impulses of the flesh, even though you battle with sin.

This is the Christian life. We are new creatures. We struggle to live fully as new creatures, because our bodies are not yet redeemed. But you need to understand, your salvation is secure, and you can enjoy the assurance that comes with true obedience. Thank you for joining us in this exploration of Taut in Christ. Until next time, remember to keep the faith, stay strong, and continue to shine your light in the world. To hear these daily devotions of your daily bread, please log on to goddessgovernment.com. Goodbye, and may your faith always lead the way.