Ephesians 4:17-24 The Difference Easily Noticed Between Saved And Unsaved

My commentary says, "The Bible was written to be obeyed, and not simply studied ... Paul was saying, 'Here is what Christ has done for you.  Now in the light of this, here is what we ought to do for Christ.' ... The Christian is not to imitate the life of the unsaved people around him... The unsaved man's thinking is futile because it is darkened.  He thinks he is enlightened because he rejects the Bible and believes the latest philosophies, when in reality he is in the dark ... Satan has blinded the minds of the unsaved because he does not want them to see the truth in Jesus Christ.  It is not simply that their eyes are blinded so they cannot see, but that their minds are darkened so that they cannot think straight about spiritual matters ... The hardness of his heart enslaves him.   He is past feeling because he has so given himself over to sin that sin controls him."

"The Christian cannot pattern himself after the unsaved person, because the Christian has experienced a miracle of being raised from the dead.  His life is not futile, but purposeful.  His mind is filled with the light of God's Word, and his heart with the fullness of God's life.  He gives his body to God as an instrument of righteousness, and not to sin for the satisfaction of his own selfish lusts.  In every way, the believer is different from the unbeliever..."

Father, these truths bring up memories from my old life, when I thought I knew better than You how to live my own life.  I didn't trust You with it, and I sure wish I had.  Thank You for pursuing me even while I was running from You.  Thank You for bringing me back.  Thank You for loving me enough to chase me and save me.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford