Practical Advice for Christian Living

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians4:22-24, NIV) [Read Ephesians 4:17-32].

In the fourth chapter of Ephesians Paul wrote to the Christians at Ephesus as if he were an earthly father pleading with his children to “do right” and “to live right.” In this chapter is same very practical advice for how to live the Christian life. It can be applied within the church family or in a home situation. Succinctly, these verses tell us how we ought to live so that we can emulate the Spirit of Christ and have blessings for ourselves and be a blessing to others.

I remember hearing Dr. Julian Pipkin, who for years served as the able head of the Sunday School Department of the Georgia Baptist Convention, teach this passage at a conference. He demonstrated the bad characteristics we should “put off” as though we were shedding a coat. Just take off these things, “put off the old self” of deceitful desires, falsehood, anger, temptation, stealing, unwholesome talk, bitterness, rage, brawling, slander, malice. These are some of the “old self,” the old coat the Christian should shed and leave behind. To be dressed in these characteristics of the old life are not the way to be stalwart for Christ and a witness for Him.

On the other hand, deliberately “put on” (that is, don, wear, continue to be dressed in) the new coat Christ offers. In this attire are some basics: prayer (for this is how we attain to the new garment, anyway), right attitude, truth, diligent and honest work, good and edifying language, kindness, compassion, forgiveness. These are earmarks of the Christian’s proper dress and the way he/she conducts the new life in Christ.

Easy? No. It takes some working on, every day, every day, until we establish the new Christ-characteristics in our life. But we can walk “as children of light” and in the Light of Christ’s love if we are sincere about seeking His will and His way.

God grant that we may follow and practice diligently this practical advice for Christian living.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Sunday, June 20, 2010