Ephesians 4:17-24

          The worthy walk (4:1-16) is a walk in oneness, which fits the calling of all believers, whether Jew or Gentile, to be involved with each other in such a way that we build each other up until we become like Christ.  In this passage Paul now encourages believers to walk the new walk.

          Think back to Eph. 2:1-10.  Remember that Paul talked in general terms of the way we used to live until God made us alive in Christ.  The result of God’s work was to be that we walk in the good works He prepared beforehand for us to do (2:10).  In today’s passage we see how this new walk is to become reality for each individual believer.  The picture he uses of this change is that of a person changing his clothes.  

          First there is a reminder of the old life and its hopelessness.  It was this life of sin and it’s accompanying guilt that we turned from when we put our faith in Christ and were raised up with Christ.  In light of this Paul first calls upon the believer to no longer walk in the old way.  We have been saved by grace but now must experience that salvation in our day-to-day lives.  

          That old life was empty, v17.  As the Preacher of Ecclesiastes said, Vanity, vanity, all is vanity!  Man is in darkness, with his best plans leaving him stumbling in the darkness.  There is a sense of estrangement from the Creator, so that men are uncomfortable when they think deeply about Him.  The blindness that extends to man’s heart results in a constant search for happiness that ends instead in increasing sinfulness, only compounding man’s alienation from God.

          Verse 20 is the important truth for the readers of this letter: You have not so learned Christ.  He writes to those who are blessed by God, having redemption purchased by Christ and forgiveness in Christ.  If they belong to Christ (v21) then continuing in this old life is not an option, even if it were desirable which it clearly is not!

          Vs. 22-24 lay out the simple plan for this new life.

·        v22: Repentance.  There must be a decisive putting off of the old life.  No matter how strong the habits or enticing the morsels of that life, it must be put to death.  Piece by piece the tattered rags must be taken off.

·        v23: Renewal. The mind must be changed.  The old life is seated in an old way of thinking.  By our growth in the sound doctrine of Christ (cf. Eph. 4:14-15) we must be taught to think differently.  It is not only the simple do’s and don’ts but our deep philosophical thoughts that must be changed. 

·        v24: Righteousness.  As the mind is changed we learn Christ and the new life.  This life must also be put on decisively; piece by piece the white robe of righteousness clothes the believer.

          This pattern is illustrated in the following verses.  For now, however, let us commit ourselves to putting on the Lord Jesus Christ and making no room for the flesh to operate (Rom. 13:14).