by The Bible is clear, those who have made Jesus their Lord live in a much different way than the rest of the world. This command to walk differently is reinforced by the God’s work of sanctification that happens through the Holy Spirit. Each day, as the believer responds in obedience to the prompting of the Spirit, they will act differently!
Paul told the Ephesian church, “Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.” Ephesians 4:17 (ESV) Differentiating between the world and believers He tells them that there is a different mindset in each.
Believers Keep There Minds Fixed Above
The world really is more focused on self rather than considering the source of life nor the eternity of life. They are constantly chasing shadows and often turning on their own because they don’t have a center based upon a solid foundation. Instead of living with a godly purpose, they simply exist and lose precious time.
For the believer, we must not simply go through our days, biding our time until our death. Instead, we have been created to hear and know God’s heart. In doing so, we fulfill His purposes and will as we look to what is ahead in eternity.
Believers Live in the Light!
Paul goes on and says, ”They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.” Ephesians 4:18 (ESV) The world does not comprehend the things of God because they have been blinded. Why? Because they alienated themselves from the life of God and chose ignorance instead.
Believers know that staying connected to God not only provides eternal life, but also produces true living while here on earth. Knowledge, understanding and openness of our hearts comes from being in the presence of God. He is our source of life and light, apart from Him, darkness reigns, ending in a hardness of heart.
Believers Walk in Holiness and Servanthood
Finally, Paul says, “They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.” Ephesians 4:19 (ESV) Unbelievers have unknowingly hardened their hearts so much, they have given themselves over to every self-serving sin. Without the focus on the creator, they have become their own God, serving every sensual passion.
For the believer, they live with the understanding that God not only commands holiness, but that He also provided the means to accomplish it. Through the Word of God, empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and the determination to discipline ourselves, we find our truest life. God has blessed humankind with the privilege of serving other than ourselves. In doing so, we act differently than the world!
”But that is not the way you learned Christ!” Ephesians 4:20 (ESV) Because of the transformation that happened to believers through Christ, we learn a different way to live. Walking in the light as He is in the light, provides for us the true peace and hope that we long for. Christ comes to change the direction of our lives and we cannot be the same after an encounter with Him.
It begins with Christ!
If you don’t know Christ as your savior, it all begins with the first step. Committing your life to serve Him is the greatest decision you will make in your life! Finally, for more information on serving the Lord: CLICK HERE!
Thank you for reading, Act Differently!
Blessings,
Chad
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