You did not so learn Christ!

In Ephesians 4:17-24 Paul points out to his readers that he knows where they have come from, and how hard it is to change one’s life. He utilizes “put on” and “put off” imperative language to challenge his readers to take this conversion process seriously.

          To describe their lifestyle, the apostle Paul uses the literal word “to walk around.” He admonishes them to no longer walk around (live) as the Gentiles walk around (live). “Gentiles” was a pejorative term, and almost a slur, against people who were not Jewish and were an example of just letting their passions rule their life.

          This describes many of Paul’s Christian friends and their past life in Ephesus. What was the “Gentile” past life like? Paul uses four participles (verbs with “-ing” endings) to describe it in the fullest of pictures.

·       Having been darkened in their understanding

·       Having been alienated from the life of God

·       Having (being) ignorance in them

·       Having given themselves up to a life of sensuality

These four descriptions indicate why it was so hard for many of his readers to “walk worthy of the calling with which they had been called”(4:1).

All of this was being done “in the futility of their minds”(4:17). This refers to their thought-world being so empty of anything with real purpose that they were drifting through life aimlessly. There was no thought of consequences related to their daily choices. This way of living was labeled by Paul as the “old man.”

When Paul indicated that they had no so learned Christ, he is actually pinpointing the process of “unlearning.” Part of conversion is the initial unlearning replaced with learning. The former way of life is being exchanged for a new way of life. This is the miraculous power of the Good News of Jesus!

In this Pauline pericope what catches the ear of the transformational Christian leader is the process of putting off the old man and putting on the new man. It is both a divine and  human process whereby the mystery of transformation occurs.

Christian leaders who care about others and their Christian growth are reminded of the following realities of life that Paul addresses here:

1.     It takes a long time for people to change their thought world.

2.     A former way of life, being alienated from God, is being exchanged for a new of life where a new relationship with God is being established.

3.     We can never under-estimate the ignorance of individuals coming to the faith.

4.     A life of sensuality can make a person calloused and unfeeling toward others. Re-awakening the conscience in this area will take time and patience.

5.     Our role as leaders is to continually keep before others the model of Jesus, teaching and embodying life-changing truths that others need to see.

All of this make a huge difference—the difference between a life of emptiness or a life of holiness! May God give every Christian servant-leader a “renewal in the spirit of our minds” (4:23) such that others may see the truth of Jesus living in us!   

In Christian love, Curtis

The Boundaries of Our Community: Building Relationships in the Body of Christ [5]

The church has boundaries. It is inclusive and exclusive at the same time. Without boundaries we would not be able to identify the church. The apostle Paul identifies those outside of the church boundaries as “outsiders.” There are “insiders” and “outsiders.” What are the boundary markers for the church? “…The Christian ideal of the communion of saints and the congregation and the Eucharist [Lord’s Supper] as forms of community…” [Wendell Willis (2011-2012). “The Erosion of Community: A Challenge to the Church.” Christian Studies 25. Page 13).

          The assembled, baptized, communing believers in Christ make up the body of Christ. Three times in  his letters the apostle Paul refers to those outside the boundaries of the believing community. Look at each passage below and note why he brings it up:

·        Colossians 4:5

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”

          In our Christian walk we have to be very careful and wise in our dealings with outsiders because we want to make the most of every opportunity to be a good witness for Jesus. Wise Christian leaders are aware of their influence, and have the “eyes of opportunity” so they can see where a kind word, a kind act or kind gesture can make a world of difference!

·        1 Thessalonians 4:12

“…so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”

          Here Paul is very emphatic regarding the pragmatic way that Christians live. Sponging off of others and not pulling one’s weight in life, and depending on others when you could fend for yourself, will lose the respect of outsiders. A lazy, enabled, entitled way of life certainly does not comment itself as a way of life that honors God and respects others!

·        1 Timothy 3:7

“He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.”

          Bishops/elders must be careful about their reputation with non-Christians. They are a model of grace, and never want to be a disgrace or be ripe-picking for the devil. The power of their influence is immense! This is why Christian leadership should be taken so seriously.

           In the midst of being thankful for the boundaries of our community of faith, let us always and forever be aware of how we may impact and influence  those who are “outsiders.” May God grant us the wisdom to live and lead in such a way that many more “outsiders” may become “insiders!”

In Christian love, Curtis