The ability to change your moral standards

Ephesians 4:17

The apostle Paul is telling us to no longer walk as the Gentiles!  It seems clear that Paul is making a case that you and I once did so, and if we are to no longer do so, it seems imperative that we understand how the Gentiles lived.  It should also be understood who Paul is addressing, not Christians who are Jews, but Gentile Christians.  You would think Gentile Christians would have a fair understanding of the Gentile mind, but did they and do you?  It is very important to understand that most of these Gentile Christians were adults when they came into Christ, and for many years had been shaped by the culture, and habits of getting their needs met.  Not that different from many of us, but now Paul is telling them not to follow those patterns any longer.

As a person who has a history of being a slow learner, I’ve found it helpful to be taught what I should do and not to keep bringing up my many failures; so that is my hope in this writing.  First, we must come to an understanding that when we came into Christ, we became a new spirit, with the same issues and problems; the flesh has not been made good or better, it is still flesh.  That’s point one, but point two is; “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desires.” (2 Peter 1:3,4,)

Point three, “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.” (2 Peter 1:5-7) 

Why are these so important for you and I to put into our heart and mind?  Because first and foremost it is impossible to grow in Christ, without understanding that you have entered into a war for your heart.  Your flesh must be trained to submit or surrender to the desires of the spirit.  It is crucial to renew your mind with this truth, God’s divine power has granted to us all things pertaining to life, and that mind change comes only from knowledge of Him.  The third point is, no matter how slow you are at learning; you can supplement your faith with virtue, the ability to change your moral standards.  And by adding to your new moral standards the knowledge of God’s council from the Bible, He will, if you listen give you self-control and steadfastness with godliness.  As you apply these to you life the fruits of brotherly affection and the love of God will be manifested in your life.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice