THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE BELIEVER’S AND UNBELIEVER’S LIFE.

Lesson 9

Ephesians 4:17–24

The church of Jesus Christ will somehow display a unity in the midst of a hostile world. We often despair of such a unity, but it is a fact despite the fact that there are all manner of branches of that one church of Christ. The Bible speaks of that unity often and there must be a display of it so that the world may also know the work which Christ Jesus has come to do.

Living the Faith

Now, therefore, i.e., because of all that has gone before, (Paul will emphasize, not only his own view of the matter, but he speaks in the name of his Lord) believers are to seek that unity of which he spoke by their manner of life. The believer must indeed believe that which is straight, which is true, which is orthodox, but that true belief must be accompanied by a life which is in tune with the doctrines believed. Therefore they are not to live as the gentiles. But, were these not gentiles to whom he is writing? He uses the term “gentiles” in two different senses. All those who were not Jews were gentiles and therefore these people in Ephesus, to whom he was writing, were indeed gentiles. However, one may also use the term in a different way to indicate those who are ungodly or uncivilized. It is in the latter manner that he uses the term here. The people Paul addresses have heard and believed the gospel, they were converted, they belong to Christ and consequently to His church, therefore they may no longer live as though nothing had taken place in their lives. They must walk in conformity to the faith they profess. How often this teaching is found in the Apostolic writings! It is one thing to profess the faith which has been proclaimed—it is a different matter to walk according to that rule.

Futility of Pagan Life

But, the readers of this epistle will certainly realize that the way of life which the Apostle has shown them is the only logical way. One who professes the true faith and then walks as the gentiles, is a living lie! The gentiles walk in the vanity, or futility , of their minds. They expect much of this world and this life, but it is vain and futile. It is disappointing. Nothing is adequately rewarded. In contrast, the life of the believer is rewarded far above anything he would ever be able to expect. The Lord pays well! It is also the only logical and consistent way of life. It is really a sad commentary on the believer’s way of life that the Apostle must emphasize this matter so strongly. It ought to be a matter of course! In gratitude he ought to live a God glorifying life.

Ignorance of Unbelief

To make it even clearer why the believer is not to live as his unbelieving neighbors do, the Apostle gives a characterization of the life of the unbelievers. They are darkened in their understanding. That is, the unbelieving world which thinks that it has all wisdom and is therefore able to get along very well without God. Paul says their minds are dark—they live in intellectual gloom! They always were darkened in their minds and still are. The reasoning of the unbeliever has been affected by sin. This is a part of total depravity. He has spoken before of the fact that these Ephesian Christians had once been alienated from the commonwealth of Israel etc. Now he says of the gentiles around them that they are alienated from the life of God! That is much worse. Why is it so much worse for those who are now still gentiles? Because the gospel has come to Ephesus and they have, in their ignorance, spurned that gospel. Then it hardens. The gospel leaves no one the same. It is either a savor of life to life or it is a savor of death to death. Consciously these people had hardened themselves against the gospel. They consciously rejected it. These are now alienated from the life of God and have no part in the blessings given through Jesus Christ!

Moral Degeneracy

When this hardening occurs, it does not only affect the relationship to God and the gospel, no, it corrupts all relationships! This must never be lost from sight. Often the unbeliever is a “nice” person. Those who have hardened themselves become past feeling, they become calloused. Then they are basically not even “nice people” anymore. When people are beyond feeling they no longer realize their duties to fellow men. It is so strange that they the!! give themselves up to all uncleanness, i.e., on the surface. Why does this happen? When one consciously turns against the gospel of Jesus Christ and rejects it, he descends from that which is truly human to the animal level. Christ has come to fulfill, to complete the law of God. Only when men walk according to the law their God has given them will they attain to their true humanity. Therefore, whenever someone turns his back on the gospel he dehumanizes himself and gives himself to all manner of lewdness and covets iniquity.

Christ’s Pupils

Having described the nature of the life of such gentiles, the Apostle warns believers not to imitate this kind of life. Not only so, he shows them that the very opposite way of life has been taught them. They have “learned Christ.” By this he means that they have not only learned about the Christ of God, but that they have learned to know Him! They have not only learned Him, but they are bound to Him. The acquaintance with Jesus Christ, and, what is far more, the implanting into Jesus Christ prohibits the kind of life the gentiles live. They have learned to know Christ so that they realize that He demands a life of devotion to Himself and a life which is unspotted by the sin of this world. They have learned to know Him as the One who leads to an essentially different outlook on life and goal in life. If they have learned to know Him they will flee from the kind of life they see the gentile living.

The things he is here contrasting ought to be clear to everyone who has heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. They have heard the word, have they not? They have heard that truth is in Jesus, have they not? He (Christ) makes Himself known as the truth. Not only does He speak the truth—He is the truth! All the truths which are important to life are found in Him. Only He is able to make known the depth of man’s sin. Of course, He is the only One who has made known the need and the nature of salvation. He too makes known to man the life of gratitude which he is to live before his God. Now, these are the essentials of knowledge. These are the things one must know both to live and die happily. The gentiles do not have the knowledge of any of these things. What is then the result? They give themselves up to all manner of sin and finally drown in their misery.

A Converted Life

Seeing these Ephesian Christians have been taught to know Christ and to know that truth is in Him alone, they must break with their former manner of life. They knew what the Apostle had been speaking about. They knew from experience. Their former life was like the unbelievers around them at the present time. But, they have been delivered from the bondage of that kind of life which those who practice it call freedom. They must realize that the salvation which they now embrace demands a complete turnabout of all of life. It is not only a religion of the mouth but of both word and deed. The whole outlook on life has been radically changed for those who believe in Jesus.

A Process of Putting Off the Old

The Apostle now uses terminology which he uses more often to show them how complete this change is to be. First of all, they must put off the old man. By this old man he means the former way of life, the life which was steeped in sin. Of course, basically they had put off the old man when they believed on Jesus Christ—when they had come to conversion. Then why this emphasis now? This is a very important passage to show us that everything is not completed when we have come to conversion. This is one of the errors which is commonly found today. Let a person confess that he believes on the Christ of God and he has arrived! You can now go on to the next one! This kind of theology Paul condemns. Although something great has taken place when the eyes are opened and the Savior is acknowledged, there is still a long road ahead. One has to keep on putting off the old man—that which entices to sin. The believer is faced with the temptations to sin every day. Their former manner of life may not be lived anymore but the temptation is there to do so. It is indeed one act of God whereby the believer has been brought from death to life, but for the believer himself there is a process whereby he becomes more Christ-like.

Put On The New

The believer is, however, not only called to put off the old man but he is also admonished to put on the new man. Christianity is not only negative (it is that too) but it also has a very definite positive aspect. The old man was the product of sin; the new man comes out of regeneration. A new life has been created. This has to be evident in the life of him who professes to believe on Jesus as his Lord and Savior. The redeemed man must die to the old and be made alive to the new. He must turn from sin and seek holiness. He must learn to hate sin and love righteousness. He must flee the chaos of lawlessness and must rejoice in the law of God. He has indeed become a new creature!

In these verses the Apostle has taught the people in Ephesus, and thereby the church of all subsequent ages, the true balance which must characterize the life of those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. They must believe and work; they are faced with do’s and don’ts; there is both the negative and the positive. Those who live according to the teaching of the Scriptures are not going to fall into the extremes which are so often seen. The Bible is to be our guide for all of life. It shows us the way of salvation and also teaches us how we are to live. When one tampers with the Bible he is undermining the faith and life of the people of God!

Questions for discussion:

1. Paul judges the understanding of believers to be far superior to that of unbelievers. How does the modern world judge this? 2. How does the process of hardening proceed? 3. Do you think that there are people who would like to stop with justification and forget about sanctification? 4. How have we learned to know Christ? Is it important how we learn to know Him? Are there some who have or are learning to know Him in the wrong way? 5. Is the believer still totally depraved? 6. Do we usually emphasize either the negative or .the positive in our Christian life at the expense of the other? How can we keep our spiritual balance?    

SPECIFIC ADMONITIONS TO THE EPHESIANS

Lesson 10 Ephesians 4:25–32

In the preceding paragraph the author has spoken of the antithesis between believer and unbeliever in his mode of life. He presented the principles on which a believing life is to be built. Now he is going from the general to the particular, he will become very practical in his teaching.

Stop Lying

Because of the things he has taught them in the previous paragraph, they will be able to understand the things he will now teach them. As they had been admonished to put off the old man of sin, so must they also put off the speaking of lies. This seems to be so elementary that one might wonder why the Apostle makes a point of mentioning this and making it first in a series of admonitions. The law of God also forbids the speaking of falsehood (ninth commandment), because this is such a common sin. All sins fall under the moral law of God and of the six commandments dealing with our relationship to our fellow-man, one has to be devoted to this particular evil. Those who have come to believe the gospel and have given themselves wholly to it are to refrain from speaking falsehood. Instead, they are to speak the truth each one with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. To speak the lie is to break the brotherhood. Such practices make it impossible for the one to have true fellowship with the other. The lie destroys the church! The lie destroys friendship! The lie destroys t he family! In the words of Jesus: Our yes must be yes and our no must be no. This sounds so simple, but it is one of the most profound of all His recorded statements and it is one which is violated more often than almost any other. That one is not able to depend on the word of the unbeliever might be expected; but the unbeliever often puts the believer to shame in this area of life. And, when you cannot depend on someone’s word, all relationships with him are broken.

Righteous Anger

The place of anger in the life of any human being and especially in the life of a Christian is an important matter for anyone to consider. There is much anger displayed every day. There is anger displayed by believers too. Is this proper? Most of the time it is not because it is an evidence of the presence of the old man of sin. But, it is unscriptural to say that all anger is sin. God is angry with the wicked every day. Our Lord was angry at times when He was here on earth. It would be well if believers today would be filled with righteous anger more often! When a worldly view of love is emphasized in the church, there is no longer anger against sin! The sinful deeds of men and the falsehoods spoken under the guise of the gospel ought to fill our hearts with anger. But, care must be taken that it is not a sinful anger -in other words, there is an anger which is not sinful. Nor, adds the Apostle, may we let the day come to an end while we are still angry. What does he mean by this? We may indeed be angry with the sinful deeds of others. However, before the day has come to a close, we must be reconciled. If anger is allowed to continue it will destroy the person who harbors it, and that too will destroy the fellowship of believers. I believe that the Apostle is here emphasizing the need for mutual discipline. Be angry with your brother when he goes contrary to the will of God! Then see to it that this offense is removed the same day! This will make for a healthy relationship among believers. If this pattern of life is not followed, the devil will be the victor. The anger may have been righteous, but if the matter is not settled by means of confession and forgiveness, the devil has won the day. Righteous anger when not soon removed leads to a hardening and it soon becomes unrighteous!

Don’t Steal , but Work

If the sin of bearing false witness is still common to the present day, surely the sin mentioned in verse 28 is not common (?). Paul tells those who are stealing not to continue in this error. This was a common sin. Those who do not speak the truth have already laid the groundwork for stealing another’s goods. It was common in the heathen world of that day as it is in the heathen world of today. But, believers of every age better examine themselves too. Instead of stealing he should labor with his hands. He should engage in honest toil because such toil will be rewarded and he will then have sufficient to give to those who are not able to work. Paul’s work ethic is mentioned in many of his letters. He himself worked day and night, and he does not approve of anyone not doing an honest day’s work if he is able. Poverty is no blessing! It should be avoided and everything should be done to uproot it. By being diligent in his work a man will have more than enough for himself. Woe to those who do not alleviate the need of others!

No Foul Language

No one can deny that the Apostle is dealing with practical things and that he is specific in his admonitions. Believers’ words must be true (vs. 25) but even more is required. The tongue is a very dangerous member of our bodies as well as a very important member. It must speak the truth and it may not speak that which is filthy! Dirty talk is one of the devil’s devices which he uses to corrupt men in the unbelieving world and even the believers are not immune to its temptation. The lie leads to all manner of sin . . . to stealing etc. Filthy speech leads to many other sins, all of these sins destroy the brotherhood! How dare men speak filth with the same tongue which is used to pray to their God!

Constructive Talk

As he spoke of these things in the previous paragraph and in the first verses of this present paragraph, so he does here. It is not only a matter of “Don’t do this”! He also emphasizes the positive. They must not engage in filthy talk but they are to use their speech organs for a better purpose. They must use their speech to build up their fellow believer in the faith. This is not to be done in a very unrealistic way, but “as the need may be.” Then you have to know the need! Speak so that it fits the situation! In this way your speech will be a blessing to those who hear it. Corrupt speech breaks down the fellowship of believers; godly speech builds it up.

Don’t Grieve the Holy Spirit

The things of which Paul has spoken ought to be “natural” for the Ephesian Christians. Not only have they believed in Jesus Christ unto redemption, they have, of course, also received the Holy Spirit when they believed. The Spirit of God dwells within the believer to make him ever more holy. If such a person, in whom the Spirit resides, does the works of the world, he grieves the Spirit of God. The Spirit seeks his welfare now and for eternity, and he goes contrary to it if he sins as the unbeliever. Those who commit these sins are, therefore, working against their own welfare. The gift of the Spirit to t hem was the down payment of their full salvation. In Him they are sealed till the day of redemption.

Sins to Be Discarded

In the conclusion of this section the Apostle mentions various sins, mostly of the tongue, or at least beginning there. Readers must be on the alert that they do not fall into the trap laid by the evil one by means of these sins. False speaking will lead to bitterness. This does not remain a sin of the tongue but ruins the heart and mind. Wrath and anger, too, consume those who practice these things. Clamor and railing go even beyond the former. They become loud protest and accusation against the fellow man. When these various steps have been taken they will lead to malice, i.e., the spirit which seeks the ruin of the opponent. The one sin begets the other, and each one is more evil than the one before. Now all these things must be put away from you, says Paul. There is no place in the life and conduct of the one who professes the name of Jesus Christ for such things as he has mentioned. Those who make themselves guilty of these sins have raised a real question as to the sincerity of their profession. Besides, they will be stumbling blocks to others.

Christian Virtues

As he has done before, so now the author reminds readers of the positive goals to which they are called as well as of the spurning of vices which they find in the unbelieving world around them. If the heart of man is desperately evil, then keep it tightly closed? No. If the tongue is capable of all these evils mentioned, then never speak again? No. God’s gifts have been given to be used and not to be buried. Therefore, instead of all the evils mentioned, believers are to be kind one to another. All the things Paul mentions in the last verse of this chapter are, of course, to be done from the heart. Everyone knows what kindness is. This, they must practice, and it must be like the kindness God has shown to them. They are to be tenderhearted. They must be compassionate. The nature of the church demands that when one suffers all suffer and when one is glad all rejoice with him. This requires a compassionate heart. That is a heart which enters into the feelings of others. This is the essence of love.

One more item is mentioned—that they are to forgive one another as God also in Christ forgave them. This same note is sounded in the prayer our Lord taught us. “Forgive us . . . as we forgive.” To do this is difficult, in fact, impossible for those who have not been forgiven. But, the ten thousand talents which have been forgiven us are not to be compared to the hundred pence which we are asked to forgive. Yet, men find forgiving very difficult. How is this possible! Or have such people never tasted the forgiving love of God? To be forgiven we must repent. Those who find it difficult to forgive their fellow man also find it very difficult to repent of their own sins. It is the pride of the human hearts which makes it almost impossible to live according to the Apostle’s injunction and thus makes it so difficult for them to be members of the church of Christ!

Questions for discussion:

1. Do you know many people you can really depend on? Will they speak the truth regardless of consequences?

2. Is it considered “nice” to be angry at something? Should we be angry or should love cover all things? What do you think of the statement heard almost daily: We must hate sin but love the sinner? Is this statement found in the Bible? 3. How far must we go in giving to the needs of others? Can we also do a real disservice to some by helping them out? 4. Is all spiritual talk edifying? What do you think of those who say “Praise the Lord” ten times in a ten minute conversation? 5. How do we get rid of such evils as are spoken of in verse 31? 6. May we ever sit in judgment on the spiritual life of another? Must we do so at times? Why is it important to understand this correctly?