As Christians, the world is not our standard for living. God has called us to live by a new standard.
The apostle Paul stressed in Romans 12:2 (ESV), “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Then in Ephesians 4:24 (ESV), he writes, “And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, we are rejecting the ways of the world and embracing the truth of the gospel. Christ says in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Because Christ is the only way to God the Father, when we accept Him as our savior our whole life changes and our standards change. What a profound significance this is for the person in Christ.
In Ephesians 4:25-31, Paul instructs us as Believers in Jesus Christ to discontinue several practices in our lives so we may live to a higher standard of conduct. We need to make a commitment to God and to ourselves to cultivate positive changes that will affect our relationships with family and friends, as well as our business practices and lifestyle.
We need to put off bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, indignation, malice, stealing, unwholesome (literally means, “corrupt speech), callousness, and greed which all come from the former manner of life in the world, that is filled with deceitful desires that grieves The Holy Spirit.
Instead, we need to nurture a proper attitude towards others, speaking in truthfulness and edification, building each other up, working honestly, being kind to one another, being tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as Christ has forgiven us.
By allowing the Holy Spirit to refresh our minds, it’s easier to live an honest, open, transparent life style. It allows us to walk in the high standard of Christian behavior Paul is describing.
Have a safe and blessed day,
Pastor Chuck
The apostle Paul stressed in Romans 12:2 (ESV), “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Then in Ephesians 4:24 (ESV), he writes, “And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, we are rejecting the ways of the world and embracing the truth of the gospel. Christ says in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Because Christ is the only way to God the Father, when we accept Him as our savior our whole life changes and our standards change. What a profound significance this is for the person in Christ.
In Ephesians 4:25-31, Paul instructs us as Believers in Jesus Christ to discontinue several practices in our lives so we may live to a higher standard of conduct. We need to make a commitment to God and to ourselves to cultivate positive changes that will affect our relationships with family and friends, as well as our business practices and lifestyle.
We need to put off bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, indignation, malice, stealing, unwholesome (literally means, “corrupt speech), callousness, and greed which all come from the former manner of life in the world, that is filled with deceitful desires that grieves The Holy Spirit.
Instead, we need to nurture a proper attitude towards others, speaking in truthfulness and edification, building each other up, working honestly, being kind to one another, being tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as Christ has forgiven us.
By allowing the Holy Spirit to refresh our minds, it’s easier to live an honest, open, transparent life style. It allows us to walk in the high standard of Christian behavior Paul is describing.
Have a safe and blessed day,
Pastor Chuck
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