Daily Reading for January 19 2010 Ephesians 4:17-24

Day 9

We are not reading as much at a time as we digest Ephesians 4. These passages have so much content that they need to be read and digested. Today's teaching is about repentance. Repentance is more than a confession it is turning around. I hope you enjoy this passage. Remember as you pray about this Word today ask God to reveal to you by His Holy Spirit any areas in your life where some change might be necessary. The Word of God speaks to us and changes our hearts.

Ephesians 4:17-24 NIV
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, with a continual lust for more.
20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.21 Surely you heard of him 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.

Paul gets right down to it in this passage. He reminds us not to live and act as we once did, to strive for holiness. He says "put off your old self" and to "put on the new self" in another passage we are told to "put on Jesus Christ". Paul goes on to say we are created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. What Paul is talking about here is repentance. When we accept Christ we are supposed to turn from our old ways. We find that we are convicted as we walk with Christ and the more we draw near to Him the more he seems to reveal. It has been my experience that those who are hungry find the truth of God's Word and accept it. Giving up what we used to be isn't nearly as difficult when we do so out of a love for God. God leads us to repentance and then supplies the grace and compassion necessary to help us as we deal with the areas of our lives that are not pleasing to Him. I am so glad I didn't have to clean myself up first. Many try but they always fail. A relationship with Christ is the only way to be made acceptable in the site of the Father. We can trust the Holy Spirit to help us! As we hunger and thirst after righteousness the bible promises we will be filled.


Blessings,


Pastor Larry