- Lesson 9 in the Connect360 unit “The Immeasurable Love of Christ” focuses on Ephesians 4:17-24.
God calls us to put off the old and put on the new. Unfortunately, too often we want to kill the bad habits without dealing with our heart. We try to put off just enough to avoid a negative consequence. So, we end up replacing the bad habit or sinful behavior with something else that displeases God. Maybe we stop looking at porn but never deal with the lust, or we eliminate the bad habit of gossip but don’t deal with the bitterness.
Our old nature will rob us of physical, mental and spiritual strength, leaving us unfruitful in Christian service. The influence of the life of a Christian may be ruined, if one does not exercise a stronger will to stand against deceitful lusts through the power of the Word and Spirit.
When you repented of your sins and turned to Christ by faith, you made a decision to die to self and live for Christ. You have been made new. The challenge is for us to live as who we already are by faith.
One problem is we don’t all think the same way about sin. We continue to justify, rationalize and embrace what we want. But all sin is futile—it never gives us what we think it will give us. It’s short-sighted—it always thinks about the here and now and not the consequences or eternity. It’s ignorant—separated from the life of God. It’s consuming—sin wants more and more.
You can possess all the talent and ability in the world, all the spiritual giftedness, yet your spiritual immaturity will greatly hinder your ministry in the church. In fact, you will not serve well unless you are committed to your own spiritual growth and spiritual maturity.
Too many of us regularly embrace the sins of the old life because they still come naturally to us. It’s easier to go back to what we came from instead of growing in Jesus, especially when going back takes no effort, while growing takes surrender, faith and obedience.
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