January 7, 2019
Ephesians 4:17-24 New Living Translation (NLT)
Henri Nouwen, priest and theologian, once said, “Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it, can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy. It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity.”
We are called to live life together as a community of believers. We share our stories and our life lessons and we help one another press on to the high call of Christ on each of our lives. We do not live according to the dictates of our flesh or the press of the crowd. We are in pursuit of a God-fashioned life; renewed from the inside out. Are you expecting God to surprise you with new experiences each day, so he can make a new place in your heart?
Ephesians 4:17-24 The Old Way Has to Go
17-19 And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They’ve refused for so long to deal with God that they’ve lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can’t think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion.
20-24 But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.
Prayer: Lord, I open my mind and heart up to the work of your Spirit. Please renew my thoughts and attitudes for your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.