May 30th | Do Not Live as Gentiles Do - You Have Been Taught a New Way to Live

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 

DO NOT LIVE AS GENTILES DO – YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT A NEW WAY TO LIVE   

Ephesians 4:20-21 “That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in Him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.” 

Today’s devotional verse starts a conversation by St. Paul about what happened to you when you became a Christian. You, a Christian, have been taught a new way to live. You no longer live like the Gentiles do in the darkness and futility of their thinking, following the leadership of Satan, the world, and their sinful flesh. You have been given a new life in Christ Jesus. 

When you were baptized or when you heard the Gospel you learned the “truth that is in Jesus.” The truth in Jesus is, as is recorded in John 14:6, “He is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but by Him.” The truth in Jesus is that, as you read in the recent devotions the He is the “light unto the world” that shines in the darkness of unbelief and sin, drives it away, and reveals the true God and Himself as the mediator between God and you. (1 Timothy 2:5-6) The truth in Jesus is that because of God’s undeserved love He is always ready to forgive you all of your sins. The truth in Jesus is He has reconciled you with God when you were alienated from Him. . .He has reconciled you to God so that now you call Him dear Father.   

What you have learned in Jesus is that now you live your life to the glory and honor of God. Your life now reflects the love of God and the light of Jesus on to those who still live in darkness. “You are a light unto the world. . . that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14)   Now that you have life in Jesus, you know the truth. He says to you that His “truth will set you free. . . so if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:32,36)  

Prayer: Grant, Dear Jesus, that I am always set free by Your truth. . . free from bondage to Satan, sin, and this world and free to live my life at Your Father’s child. In Your holy name. Amen. 

Jesus, Thy boundless love to me  
No thought can reach, no tongue declare  
United my thankful heart to Thee,  
And reign without a rival there!  
Thine wholly Thine alone I am;  
Be Thou alone my constant flame. 

O grant that nothing in my soul   
May dwell but Thy pure love alone;  
Oh, may Thy love possess me whole,  
My joy, my treasure, and my crown!  
All coldness from my heart remove;  
My ev’ry act, word, thought be love. 

This love unwearied I pursue   
And dauntlessly to Thee aspire.  
Oh, may Thy love my hope renew,   
Burn in my soul like heav’nly fire!  
And day and night, he all my care  
To guard this sacred treasure there. 

In suff’ring be Thy love my peace,  
In weakness be Thy love my pow’r;  
And when the storms of life shall cease,  
O Jesus, in that final hour,  
Be Thou my rod and staff and guide,  
And draw me safely to Thy side!  (LSB 683)