Being a Channel of Truth and Holiness (Part III)

“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. Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbour, for we are all members of one body.”
– Eph. 4:22-25 (NIV)

Introduction

We bring you this week the concluding part on “Being a Channel of Truth and Holiness”, which we started two weeks ago and ended with Walking in Truth and Holiness. This series began with lessons from chapter 4 of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

We are happy to repeat this so that we can seamlessly conclude the rest of the article. As you read and pass it on to others, may the Lord grant all of us the grace to be Channels of Truth and Holiness.

Walking in Truth and Holiness

Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians speaks extensively about walking in truth and holiness. Let us focus on what he says as a means of grasping the privilege of being God’s channel for truth and holiness.

This is primarily found in Ephesians 4:17-32, and we shall take it verse by verse.

Introduction to the Walk

In Eph. 4:1, Paul began to describe our “duty” to “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.”

In doing so, he first called us to walk together in unity by admonishing us to:

• Display the attitude crucial for maintaining unity – Eph. 4:2-3
• Understand the basis of the unity we have in Christ – Eph. 4:4-6
• Utilise the gifts given by Christ to His church that serve to keep the body of Christ together and growing – Eph. 4:7-16

In the last half of chapter four (Eph. 4:17-32), Paul continues to describe the sort of “walk” that is worthy of our calling, especially as “a holy temple in the Lord.”

• Whereas the first half emphasised Walking Together in Unity,
• This section emphasises Walking in Truth and Holiness.

I. The Admonition – Eph. 4:17-24

A. No longer walk like the rest of the gentiles (17-19)

They walk “in the futility of their mind.” How so?

• It starts with the hardening of their heart
• Leads to ignorance that is in them
• Because of such ignorance, they are alienated from the life of God
• This results in having their understanding darkened

Notice where Jesus describes this same process – Matt. 13:14-15

Their walk is “past feeling”, as indicated by the fact that they:

• “have given themselves over to licentiousness” (i.e., unbridled lust, excess)
• “work all uncleanness with greediness”

They are desensitised, continually seeking ever-increasing forms of moral depravity.

• Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, the author

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