Walk in Purity
Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ephesians 4:17-32. We see in chapter four of the book of Ephesians that Paul shifts gears. In chapters one through three he talks about the grace of God and the gift of God, His Son, who He gave to redeem us of our sins. What do you think he is going to talk about next?
Let’s look back at: Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Starting in chapter four, Paul tells us how we should walk. In the first part of this chapter he told us to walk in unity. Now, in this part of chapter four, he is going to talk to us about walking in purity.
Paul says that since we have accepted Jesus as our Lord we shouldn’t walk as other Gentiles do, who are alienated from the life of God. Their hearts and minds are blind to the things of God. They’ve given themselves over to greed and impurity. Paul says since we have Christ in our lives, we’re to put off the old sinful man. We’re to put on the new righteous man, by the renewing of our mind through the Spirit.
Here Gentiles are not called to be Jewish, but Christians – people who are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ. They look to and follow Jesus’ example of how to live in the world. They walk in the light of Jesus Christ and show Him to everyone by the way they live in this world.
Paul says to speak the truth, do away with lying, and not to sin by letting anger get the best of us. We’re not to let the sun go down while we’re still angry, because this only gives a foothold to the devil. You may ask how we do this. In other words, if we have an issue with someone we are encouraged to resolve that issue and not go to bed angry.
He says those of you who used to be thieves should stop stealing and work to get what you need. So we will be able to give to others in need.
Paul reminds us our speech shouldn’t be corrupt, but it should be uplifting and encouraging to those we’re talking to. He says not to grieve the Holy Spirit by the way we live, since He lives within us. He has sealed us to the day of redemption.
Paul says to get rid of all bitterness, wrath, anger, slander, and all malicious behavior and be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God through Christ forgave us. This isn’t easy since we still live in this world and have our “flesh” to deal with. With God’s help and the Holy Spirit working in us we can strive to be what God would have us to be.
Daily Bible Reading:
Ephesians 4:17-32
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Things to think about:
- What are some of the ways in which Paul says we ought to live?
- How can we live the way Paul talks about?
- In what ways have you surrendered your life to God?
Prayer of the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Ephesians that reminds us since we’ve become Christians, we shouldn’t live like before. We should walk in purity. Help us to live as Paul talks about in this Scripture. Help us to be honest, righteous, and holy so we don’t grieve the Holy Spirit, who lives in us.
Help us to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to one another, as You for Christ’s sake forgave us. Show us the things in our life we need to do away with. Help us to live godly lives so we might be able to point others to You. Forgive us of all the times we’ve failed You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. We love you, LORD. Amen.
Daily Bible Verse:
is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
– Ephesians 4:29
Featured Book:
The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus
by Deborah H. Bateman
The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. It is a study of the book of Ephesians from the New Testament of the Bible. Ephesians is one of the Apostle Paul’s letters, which was written to the church at Ephesus.
In the book of Ephesians Paul reminds us that we are chosen of God. He encourages us to walk in unity in the church. He talks about our various relationships including our relationship with Christ, with each other, the husband-wife relationship and others. He also exhorts us to put on the full armor of God so that we are clothed for battle against the enemy.
The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus consists of twelve lessons, which can be used for an individual daily Bible study or a group Bible study. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day.
For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.
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Have a blessed day,
Deborah
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