Ephesians 4:20-24
Ephesians 4
After years of complex theologizing, I stumbled on to a simple truth. A good day is a day when I say “yes” to God, and “no” to my bogus self. Paul sometimes uses the word sarx (flesh) to refer to that old, stubborn self that persists in selfishness, even after we have been liberated by God’s grace. I translate sarx as “bogus self,” because the real self is created/found in Christ. In Ephesians 4: 20-24, Paul uses slightly different terms to make the same point: “That is not the way you learned Christ! For surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus. You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be continually, spiritually renewed in your perspective, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Paul is writing to believers who have been taught and actually have learned the Truth. The Truth, in this context, is a particular and unique person, Jesus. Paul’s point is the we cannot simultaneously embrace the Truth and indulge the bogus self. So, every day and throughout each day , we have to decide between the bogus self and the Truth. We cannot say yes to both, and we cannot say no to both. Our daily decision has profound ramifications. If we say yes to the Truth, we become more real, and more connected to reality. That is a good day.
- Jack Wisdom
Reflection:
Proposed two-step agenda for your day:
1) Consider Jesus, the eternal Word who became the Incarnate Word, who demonstrated love for you on the cross, and power for you in the resurrection; and
2) say thank you and yes!
For Families:
*In your group or family, who can produce the best foreign accent? Who can do the best impression of another member of the family? These examples, though funny, are really fake, or bogus, versions of us. But sometimes, it isn’t as easy to tell when we are not living in the way for which Christ created us. How might you fall into a bogus life, one that is not what Jesus intended for you?
**Lord, we are so thankful for the new life you invite us into. Spirit, continue to guide us in the way you have laid before us. Give us the eyes to see your Truth and the wisdom to choose your Truth. Amen.