Ephesians: Lesson 8 - Day 3

Read Ephesians 5: 1 - 14.

In Ephesians 4:22 - 24 Paul tells us to "lay aside the old self" - that corrupted, lustful, greedy, self-centered self - and "put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created to righteousness and holiness ..."

How do we put it on? I have a daughter getting married soon. So we are in the midst of all the planning and activity. One bridesmaid's dress that we looked at online is a garment that has 2 long wings for a top and you can wrap those wings in a variety of ways to create different looks. Sounds like a clever idea ... however, I kept looking at the pictures thinking, "How in the world do you put that on?" The same thought comes to mind as I think about putting on this new self that is to be righteousness and holiness. How in the world do I put that on!!

Paul does not leave us to wonder. He says that we must imitate God like little children imitate their parents. It's the same principle. It is so sweet to watch a little boy swagger behind his dad trying to match his steps. Or to watch a little girl copy her mother's placement of her hands or watch her say to her doll the things that have been said to her. (However, sometimes that is more sobering than sweet!) But the point is clear ... copy God. Do like Him. Watch Jesus and see how He interacted with people - then copy. Listen to Jesus and hear the things He said and when He said them - then copy. Watch what made Him angry - then copy. Watch His compassion - then copy. Watch His heart - then copy. Watch Him love - then copy. Watch Him forgive - then copy. "Be imitators of God" ... that's how you put on the new self.

Another thing that stands out to me in our reading today is this word "greed". We always associate that word with money. And money certainly applies. I so desperately want to "put off" this part of my nature because Paul says it is the same as idolatry! So what is it? The Greek word is pleonexia. Its meanings include: greed, a greedy desire to have more; covetousness; avarice; exploitation, taking advantage of. We can have a greedy spirit toward many things, not just money. Do you know that spirit? We live in a culture that feeds a greedy spirit. And it becomes a monster with which we must do battle. I would define the monster as "the lust for more". The monster devours contentment, drives people and marriages into horrific debt, feeds addictions and destroys peace. Ask God to show you anyplace in your life where you are "greedy". He will show you ... then, deal with it!

One final thought for today ... notice the play between darkness and light. Coming to Christ is coming out of darkness and into light. Praise God that He makes that possible! So much of what Paul is talking about is how to live in the light - how to walk in the light - how to be children of light. You really are "light in the Lord". Do you believe it about yourself? If you are a believer and have come to Christ ... you are light! Paul's wants you to stay there. He wants you to live there, to make your home there, to set up your 'nest' there. Remember the way we closed Day 1? "Light of the world You stepped down into darkness". Our task is to remain in the light. Our task is to walk in the light. How is the world going to see if there is no light? Light is an absolute necessity because ...

• light produces fruit (v. 9) and we are to produce the fruit of the Spirit of God (Galatians 5: 22 - 23)
• light exposes motives (v. 10) and we continually need a check on our motives
• light exposes evil (v. 12) and we must be able to see clearly or we can easily be deceived

Our world is in terrible darkness ... light is a necessity to be able to see ... so, my friends,

KEEP THE LIGHTS ON!!