Live Different
Ephesians 4:17 “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do.”
I’m always impressed by “before and after” pictures. Whether they are weight loss, home improvement, or a business flip. When someone or something changes it takes a lot of effort to achieve the goal.
The Apostle Paul understood this personally. Midway through his life he experienced a life changing transformation. For us he is a living example of how Jesus can change a person. The change was obvious. Instead of trying to destroy followers of Jesus, he starting convincing people to follow Jesus. Before the change Paul was an angry and judgmental of others, after the change he was compassionate and wrote some of the most famous words about love in human history.
In Ephesians 4, Paul shows us that following Jesus will change us in several ways. When we follow Jesus we will begin to think differently, view pleasure differently, use money differently, and learn to live differently by the power that comes from the Holy Spirit. Just like with Paul, when Jesus changes us we will handle our anger better, work passionately, speak positively and live with more self-control and faithfulness.
How about you? Is there an area in your life that needs to change? Does a part of your heart need transformation? Can you imagine a before and after picture in this area of your life?
Take a few moments to read and reflect on Ephesians 4:17-32 and ask God to reveal any part of your life that needs a change.
God Bless,
Mike