Ephesians 4:17

Ephesians 4:17 "Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds."

First we must remember Paul is writing to a group of Gentiles, so in essence he is saying "remember what you used to do, and don't do those things." He is saying that as Christians they must set themselves apart from their old lifestyle. That reminds me of what we are called when we first believe in the Gospel, we are a "new creation" we must put away the things of the flesh and put on the things of the Spirit. I think this is first and foremost to give glory to God through our works and to sanctify us, and secondly I think this is a great evangelistic tool. When people see the Power of God working in our lives, to physically change the way we live, it is a testament to how real the Truth of the Gospel is. So how do I set myself apart from the rest of the world? I think that is something we should all think about? If someone I have never met, sees me with my roommates, will I be set apart, will that person say, "he lives for God" or "he truly loves God" I would say that I do not set myself apart from the flesh very much at all. So that is just on the outside, what about the Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus is teaching that the thing that really matters is the heart, so even though on the outside I don't set myself apart very much, what people cannot see is not very different either. I am sinful to the core. But once again we are "new creations" we have been given a "new heart" not one made of stone. So God is working in us, we must be patient, so that our trials and tribulations will be "complete, lacking in nothing." I need to be much more diligent in prayer, for it is God's work within me, and not me who is working, so I need to petition to Him to change my desires. And always remember that "He who started a good work within you, will bring it to completion on the day of our Lord Christ Jesus," the work will get done, and it will be done by God, I am glad I do not have to rely on myself to do it, because I would fail miserably. I do. So I guess, we need to submit to Him, we need to "lay our burdens on Him" for "His yoke is light" trust in Him for the work to be done, enjoy God and a free life in Him and from Him, and let Him take care of the work within us, don't worry about yourself and where I am in my faith, just focus on Christ, enjoy Him and His gifts, praise Him for Himself and His gifts, and the rest will "fall into place".

I want to love Jesus so much, I want to enjoy Him so much, I want my worship to burn so brightly, that the world sees how special He is, not just to me but to everyone, and I want that to set me apart.