“So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind…” (Ephesians 4:17)
When you remove God from your perspective, life is like an unsharpened pencil – it has no point. Paul affirms what Jesus affirmed: a mind focused on purely things of this world is living in futility. Something is futile when there is no hope of it ever succeeding or being effective. That is a life without God.
Solomon addresses this issue in the book of Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes is Solomon’s treatise on life without God, and the end conclusion is that it is vanity… a waste of time and wholly unsatisfying. Every day, take time to think about God, pray to Him, and consider life from the perspective that He created it. That is the only path to purpose.
Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites
Today’s Reading: Ephesians 4:17-24
Questions to ask:
- How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
- What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
- How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
- What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
- How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?
This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul. If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision