What does it mean for Christians to live in a way that is worthy of their Christian vocation?
In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul teaches that one important aspect of living true to our Christian identity is to do all we can to maintain peace and unity with one another (Ephesians 4:2-3), because there is “one body and one Spirit” (Ephesians 4:4-5) and, more importantly, there is one God (Ephesians 4:6).
And that one God has given us the gift of Christ, Paul writes (Ephesians 4:7).
Walking the path of life means living out our Christian identity fully.
Paul went on to say that Christ empowers Christians to help one another grow into Christian maturity (Ephesians 4:12-14) so that Christians can become more like Christ (Ephesians 4:15-16).
But in practical terms, what does it mean to live out this Christian vocation, this identity “in Christ”?
Paul continues: Ephesians 4:17-24:
Therefore I say and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk in vanity of mind, as the Gentiles do, who are darkened in their understanding, and alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, and the hardness of their hearts.They became numb and craved more, and they gave themselves up into orgies in which they indulged in all kinds of impure acts.
But that is not how you came to know Christ.If you have heard about him and have been taught by him, then this is the truth that is in Jesus Christ, and you have put off your former way of life, that old self, which was corrupted by false desires,The spirit of your mind is renewed,And put on the new self, which has been created according to God’s image in righteousness and purity of truth.
The point is clear: Having been accepted into the family of God, Christians can no longer live as if they were outside of it or, in Paul’s words, as “foreigners.”
Paul described such people as hard-hearted and insensible, people walking in the path that leads to death.
To walk the path of death means to live as we were before we knew Christ, before our eyes and ears were opened, before we knew the “truth in Jesus,” before we were made new by the Spirit of God: the old self, dead.
But Christians don’t walk that path.No, they are life.
Walking the path of life means living out your Christian identity to perfection. Paul said it means living according to the way of Christ. Your new self, Paul declared, was created “according to God’s image in purity of righteousness and truth.”
That’s good news! But how do we make it happen?
Paul said that an essential element of putting off the “old self” and living the “new self” is the renewing of our minds and our minds. What does this mean?
Consider other Pauline verses:
- Romans 8:5-6: “For if anyone lives according to the flesh, his mind desires the things the flesh desires; but if anyone lives according to the Spirit, his mind desires the things the Spirit desires. For the flesh desires death, but the Spirit desires life and peace.”
- Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
- Colossians 3:10: “Put away your earthly nature – sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed – which is idolatry, because of which the wrath of God comes upon those who are disobedient, in which you once lived. But now put away all anger, wrath, malice, slander and foul language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another. You have put off the old man with its deeds, and put on the new man, and you have been renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:14-16: “We know that he who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus and present us with you, for all this is for your profit, so that as grace reaches more and more people, thanksgiving may increase to the glory of God.So we do not give up, for even though our outer man is being destroyed, our inner man is being renewed day by day.”
- Titus 3:5-7: “God has saved us, not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to his mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom he has poured out upon us in abundance through our Savior Jesus Christ, so that, being justified by God’s grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.”
Check yourself today: What do you need to do to renew your mind, to align yourself with your “new self” and Christian calling?
Happy Lord’s Day!
