EXPOSITION FROM THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS

PART 4B- RULES FOR HOLY LIVING

Ephesians 4:17-32

Here we see apostle Paul teaching us how to walk worthy of our calling where with we have been called so that we can enjoy all the benefits provided in the package of salvation, Ephesians 4:1


The rest of the chapter describes the way we must live on a daily basis to appropriate these blessings . He showed us the role we have to play to walk in our inheritance. 


There is what Christ has done for us but there is also what we must do to walk experientially in what Christ has done for us. 


We will begin to examine tgese things one after the other and gauge our lives against these things. 


This is not to condemn us but so that we can correct ourselves as we see fit. 


May be our not living by the rules for holy living is why we are bankrupt of some results that we have only read about and only see from afar off. 


Walking in the experience of what Christ has done for us is not automatic it requires that we live our lives  in a certain kind of way. 


Unbelievers walk in the vanity of their mind.  They do what feels good to rhem or appeal to their flesh or human reasoning, Ephesians 4:17


As for those that have not given their lives to Jesus, those that are unbelievers,  their understanding of spiritual things is darkened and as a result they are separated from the life of God, Ephesians 4:18


They can't access that life of God because of the ignorance in them. Satan has blinded their eyes to see the truth of the gospel of Christ.  


However, this condition is not only limited to unbelievers alone but also to believers who walk after the flesh and in the vanity of their mind, they too are separated from the life of God because of lack of understanding. 


So their results are not different from that of unbelievers.


Unbelievers or other Gentiles have lost their God consciousness so they are helpless concerning sin, Ephesians 2:2


They do not have what it takes to resist sin or the devil. They helplessly fall for whatever works of the flesh the devil is proposing to them. 


Among such works of the flesh is greediness, uncleanliness, fornication, envy, anger e.t.c Ephesians 4:19


However such things are not found in Christ so is not expected to be seen in a child of God. We have the Holy Spirit in us and He teaches us how to live, 1John 2:20&27


ApostlePaul made us realize it is our duty as believers to put off the old man and to put on the new man which is renewed after Christ in all righteousness.  Ephesians 4:22-24


The work of renewing our mind is our responsibility as believers, no pastor or angel not even God will do it for us. It has to be our personal decision, Phillipians 2:12, 2John1:6


We could have been born again for decade and still not differ much from an unbeliever because our mind is still unrenewed, Romans 12:2


We didn't go ahead to change our old associations, change the things we listen to or watch or think about. 


We still go to the same immoral gatherings, listen to the same worldly music that we were listening to before we got born again. 


Our soul is still unsaved even though our spirit has been saved, 1Peter1:9. 


We talk the way we use to talk before we got born again, all those filthy corrupt communications, slangs that we learnt from the world are still part and parcel of our daily communication. 


An unrenewed mind is a broad gateway for the devil into our lives. He can go and come as he wishes because our heart is unguarded, it is like a gate that is left open, unguarded. 


We allow anything gain access to it so we are not different from an unbeliever. 


Things like anger, bitterness, corrupt communications, wrath, clamour evil speakings, malice, slander, backbitting, gossip, stealing and lieing will have to be done.away with now that we are born again, Galatians 5:19-21.



It won't happen automatically, so we must be intentional about weeding those things out of our lives one by one with the help of the Holy Spirit.  


When the Holy Spirit sees that we are willing to let go of those things He will supply the grace we need to be able to live holy. Willingness preceed knowing, John 7:17. 


This is what is called rules for Holy living and Apostle Paul in almost all his letters to the churches always have a chapter dedicated to just this, how we are expected to live after we are bornagain.


When all these things are done away with in our lives, then it can be said that we are holy.  


We are told what is expected of us now that we are born again. These include speaking the truth always, every man to his neighbour, not allowing our anger to stretch beyond limit, Ephesians 4:25-26. 


To do honest work with our hands rather than stealing so we can have something to give to others in need  not so we can have something to hoard out of greed and covetousness, Ephesians 4:28


Making sure that our words bring edification to others and minister grace to them. And not to grieve the Holy Spirit and neither give room for the devil, Ephesians 4:27&30.


That we should be kindly affectionate towards one another, forbearing and forgiving one another even as Christ forgives us, Ephesians 4:32


Again, when we begin to live like this it is called Holy living and it is those that are holy that can dwell where God is, Psalm 15, Psalm 24:3-5, Isaiah 33:14-22. 


Living holy lives build fortification around our lives against every assault of the devil and darkness. 


Living holy builds a wall of defence around our lives and destiny, Isaiah 32:17&18.


Many even among believers believe that holiness is unattainable, this is not so. It may seem difficult to do particularly in this age and time and we may have to suffer for a season for our choice to be holy but if we are genuinely willing the Holy Spirit will supply the grace and help us overcome whatever we may have to suffer in the process. 


All that He is waiting for is to see our willingness and our determination to live holy lives.


PRAYER: LORD I BELIEVE THAT HOLINESS IS ATTAINABLE. LORD I AM WILLING AND I ASK THAT YOU GIVE ME THE GRACE TO LIVE HOLY IN THE MIDST OF THIS CROOKED AND PERVERSE WORLD. I ASK THAT YOU SHOW ME SPECIFIC AREAS OF MY LIFE THAT IS YET TO CONFORM TO YOUR WORD, I REVEIVE GRACE TO ALIGN SUCH AREAS OF MY LIFE WITH YOUR WORD IN JESUS NAME. 


PEACE


SALVATION PRAYER


Anything short of you being born again and living a life of holiness and purity hurt Jesus so much. But you can make things right here and now by saying this simple prayer and mean it genuinely from your heart:


 Lord Jesus I come to you today. I acknowledge that I am a sinner and I cannot help myself. I repent of all my sins and I forsake them. Jesus, I invite you into my life, be my Lord, be my Saviour. 


Wash me by your precious blood, forgive my sins and write my name in the book of life. From this day, I promise to follow you all the rest of my life. Help me Lord, in Jesus name, Amen. Congratulations you are now born again!


PEACE


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