Friday, May 2, 2008

A Non-Gentile Gentile

“Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their thoughts.” (Ephesians 4:1 CSB)

When is a Gentile not a Gentile? Answer: When the Gentile is a Christian.

The Jews saw two basic groups of people: Jews and all others. The “all others” group they called “Gentiles.” But now, by faith we have departed from the world of the Gentiles and have entered into the kingdom of God by faith. We have become God’s children. Because that is true, we are to no longer live the way the Gentile world lives. The Gentile life is the way of futile thinking, thinking that is focused on promiscuity, on the worldly life. Their thinking is darkened – as we know all too well – by two major influences: ignorance of God and His ways, and hardness of heart.

Entering into this faith-based personal relationship with Jesus Christ has led us to put away the old nature and put on the new nature. By faith, we decided to take off the “old clothes” of corruption and to put on the “new clothes” of spiritual renewal. We have come to the truth of Jesus.

By faith we have chosen to live by the truth of Jesus, and that translates into several practical applications. We have replaced lying with speaking the truth. We have replaced anger with compassion and forgiveness. We have replaced dishonesty with honesty and sharing. We have replaced hostility toward God with a desire to no longer grieve Him but to please Him instead.

Lord, Guide us this day to live according to this new nature and to no longer allow the world and its values to influence our thinking. Amen.

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