TRANSFORMATION

The Life of God

Main Point:
Our transformation in Christ
Most people love to buy new clothes. Clothing is interesting because we dont just use it; in a
sense, it helps express who we are. Thats one reason new clothes are so great its an
opportunity to reinvent ourselves however we want! The apostle Paul has some things to say
to believers about what we wear, but hes not talking about t-shirts and jeans. In todays
passage, well look at why Paul says dressing ourselves properly is at the center of what it
means to follow Christ.
Ephesians 4:17-24
New International Version (NIV)

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.
17

Questions
1. Paul is drawing the line between Gentiles and Christians. What is the core difference
according to verse 18?
A Few Key Points:
The futility, sensuality, and greed Paul talks about are symptoms of a
deeper issue: separation from true life in God. (Rom 1:28)

Without a connection to Jesus, we are without a core connection to life

itself. (John 11:25)

Pauls directive is not for us to modify our behavior but to behave

according to what Christ has already modified within us. (2 Cor 5:17)

Jesus has already done all the hard work, and He has given us His life as a gift. Paul is
redirecting the Ephesians to the life that Christ has given. Hes reminding them that Jesus
has already set His life in motion within us. (Rom 6:23; Gal 2:20)
Remember This:
Transformation is not our work agreement is. We are changed forever as we accept
what Jesus already did and declare it to be true in our lives.

Notes:
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