Ephesians Part 70

INTRO: We are in Ephesians 4 once more. We are still in the second section of the practical section of the book. Let me just remind you that there are two sections; the theological and the practical. Let me read verses 17-24:

17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,

18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;

19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

20 But you have not so learned Christ,

21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:

22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,

23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,

24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

What a tremendous and loaded passage this is! Paul has described their former life and what a perfect picture of all unsaved people it is! They walk in the futility of their mind. Their understanding is darkened. They are alienated from God. They are ignorant of the most important truth there is. They have given themselves over to shameless sinning. They work all manner of uncleanness with greediness.