So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do …
Summary: Paul’s problem is that people who believe in God act differently than people who don’t. Being the “Apostle to the Gentiles” carried with it the added burden of educating Gentile believers about this difference.
Paul has already told us, “Hey, for those who have faith in Jesus, being saved is a gift from God.” (Jeff’s Paraphrase, Ephesians 2:8-9) And now, two chapters later, he is telling us that we must “no longer live as the Gentiles do.” Isn’t that a contradiction?
The answer depends on your point of view.
Remember that we live in two worlds. One is the world of flesh and bones. The cravings of the body are the world’s compass and motive. Everything is judged from a personal point of view. The concepts of “good” and “bad” depend on whether it is good for me or bad for me.
The other world is spiritual. The spiritual is a world of infinite possibilities, both good and bad. “Good” and “bad” are both defined by God. God created everything and owns everything. We are born with a spirit separated from God because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. We are born again through the power of Jesus (John 3: 3-15) and reunited with God.
Being the Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul has twice the work of the Apostles to the Jews. The Apostles to the Jews preach to people who already believe in God and understand his laws. Paul has to educate people about God and then explain Jesus.
As Gentiles, we might well wonder where Paul gets off telling us God has given us a gift and then turning around and demanding that accepting the gift means we have to change our way of life. Is it a gift or not?
Paul has laid the groundwork for this by explaining the difference between our spiritual natures and physical desires (Ephesians 2: 1-7). Under the Old Covenant, it was easy to tell if someone was obeying the Law or not. Almost everything outlined in the Law was a “do” or “don’t.” Do these things and don’t do those things, and you are in compliance (Exodus 20: 1-17). Everyone could see who was following the Law with their own eyes. The New Covenant is more nuanced.
When Paul says, “you must no longer live as the Gentiles do,” he is talking about following the “ways of this world,” which serves the “cravings of our flesh and … its desires and thoughts.” (Ephesians 2:3) As Jesus himself pointed out, “No one can serve two masters.” (Matthew 6:24) In a way, Paul’s challenge to no longer live as the Gentiles do is a kind of test. Are we living for God, or do we want it both ways?
Application: Reject the cravings of the flesh and live for Jesus.
Food for Thought: What is it like to put off our Gentile ways?
What is it like to put off our Gentile ways?
I think simply put, to stop bowing at the alters of other “gods.” I don’t know anyone who bows before golden statues, but that’s where spiritual warfare becomes very tricky. Anything can become an idol when one allows it to take the place of Christ in your life. Cars, phones, TV, fitness, mood-altering substances, intimacy’s; when you look to them for comfort, soon they become a source of “salvation.” A respite from the grind of life.
Avoiding these pitfalls takes discernment. Discernment comes from the Lord. The Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts through God’s Word. I find that very often the idol “moves” and “shifts.” I get comfortable in something and realize that I am turning to it for comfort. I ask to be delivered from it, only to find that something else has or is taking it’s place. The “something” itself becomes less of the hazard, and the real issue is my willingness to give it a special place it my life. It ok to enjoy life, but be mindful of where it takes you, and how often you return to it and why.
1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Lions always isolate one of the pack before they kill it. Take advantage of its fear and confusion to corner it until it gives up from exhaustion.
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Chris,
Great point about lions!! 🙂
I like your other points as well. The more we wrestle with Paul’s words, the more I can appreciate the subtleties of the Christian mindset.
07-05-2023, What is it like to put off our Gentile ways?
Ephesians 4:22-24, You lay aside the our ways, which are corrupted by the lusts and deceit, and seek to be renewed in the spirit of our mind. Put on the new self, the likeness of God, created in the righteousness and holiness of truth.
It’s a little frightening as you scout out a church on Sunday morning to see the people arriving, timing and how to dress is important. When you are dressed appropriately, you arrive, go to the man greeting everyone at the door. You find out he is the preacher, explain your not a good man and ask if it’s ok to come in. He says, of course and your church life begins.
God uses someone to introduce you to Bible Study, you buy a bible and begin attending. In a short time, you have accepted Christ and broken all your old relationships. I chose to live alone, study and applying God’s Word into my life.
I spoke with my family, hoping to share this new life I had found. My father began crying, told me he had worked his entire life trying to keep me out of church, and here I was a blank, blank, Christian. I looked at he and my mother, closed my bible, turned and left. Only one brother joined me years later. My fathers last words for me as passed on through a brother were, ” Tell Ron I wish he had never been born.”
I fully understand each must make their individual choice regarding Jesus and often we will feel the pain the sad reality of parting with friends and family as we chose to follow Jesus. I have never regretted my choice, and live in the LIFE, peace, security and stability which come only in the love of Christ, knowing He will never leave me.
Ron,
You have illuminated a very important point. Leaving behind Gentile ways is more than simply changing our thinking. It is changing what we do. As you point out, what we “do” can involve who we spend our time with. Thank God our God walks with us as we go through these changes!
I like the Ephesians 4: 22 – 24 passage R2T2 mentioned. Along with the lists of what the Gentiles were freed from in Ephesians 2: 11 – 13 and Ephesians 4: 25 – 32, I think we have a good idea of what Paul might have been thinking as he mentioned the Gentiles old way of life in Ephesus.
Thank you, Brother!
Your familiarity with Scripture is an inspiration!
What is it like to put off our Gentile ways?
Romans 7:15 comes to mind at first then my mind turns to with great power comes great responsibility, lord of the rings, and I get an image of Smeegal fighting with himself and how he has given into his Gentile ways and listens to his fleshly desires. It’s different how things look when your not looking inwardly but more of a bigger picture for the kingdom of God.
Things take time and time is something that you have to spend wisely. It is that time I need to make sure I am giving to the Lord faithfully. Then giving to others for the Lord faithfully. Thank you for helping with us seeing God’s word better Jeff. And thanks for all the great perspectives and comments everyone. ( the best part of 3MB. But Jeff starts the topic each day ) sorry forgot to click post comment again.
Tim,
Thanks for sharing your perspectives and for your encouragement with the blog!
The Lord of the Rings story was actually written to illustrate the battle between Good and Evil in our lives so that is a great point.