February 12th, 2013
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

A New Identity

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Opening Prayer

Lord, how great You are and how wonderful is Your Word. I want to learn more of it today.

Read Ephesians 4:17-32

[17] So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. [18] They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. [19] Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. [20] That, however, is not the way of life you learned [21] when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. [22] You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; [23] to be made new in the attitude of your minds; [24] and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. [25] Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. [26] “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, [27] and do not give the devil a foothold. [28] Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. [29] Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. [30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. [32] Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here” (2 Cor. 5:17, TNIV)!

Think Further

Paul returns to the theme of what we were and what we now are. He uses several metaphors to convey the change when we become Christians. There is the image of putting off and putting on (22-24), stripping ourselves of all that belonged to our old identity, and clothing ourselves with the new. There is the image of moving from a “darkened understanding” into a new attitude of mind–leaving behind the futility, ignorance and sensuality of the past, and living transparently before God. We are new selves and need to show we have been changed by Christ.

Yet, just in case his readers get too caught up in his eloquence, Paul then gives some down-to-earth instructions. Believers should not lie. They should not harbor resentment. Those who were thieves must stop stealing and do an honest day’s work. We should take care in what we say. There should be no gossip, bitterness, brawling, dirty talk, rage or malice (25-31). This is very plain talk with no room for any ambiguity.

There is something extremely sensible about Paul’s advice. He does not condemn anger, for example, for clearly we should be angry about oppression or exploitation. Anger at injustice has led Christians to confront the wrong and change society. But we should not let anger lead us to sin. If we are angry with someone on a personal level, we should work it out before we go to sleep: “do not let the sun go down while you are still angry” (26). If we take our anger to bed with us, we may have a very bad night! Even when we know that we are forgiven, it’s not always easy to be kind, compassionate and forgiving (32), but it is sound theology and profoundly good sense.

Apply

What things might you need to “put off” if you are to grow more in Christ? Pray, then make plans for letting them go.

Closing prayer

Lord, as I look at the list of things that must go, I realize again I need Your help. Break strongholds and recalibrate my life according to Your will.

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