Knowing the Christ the Right Way

Ephesians 4:20-24

Key Verse 20

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.

This passage shows us how we are called to be what we are called to be.

In Chapters 1-3 (roughly speaking) Paul describes what God calls us to be that is, that is, Christlikeness. [Read Eph 3:20; 1Co 1:30] 

Now he talks about how we are called to be what we are supposed to be, that is, by taking advantage of (or simply receiving) what God has made available in the Lord.  

Skim through the passage. What were they (the Ephesians) taught? List three points. 

** 1) To put off the old self; 2) to be made new in the attitude of one's mind; 3) to put on the new self. 

The Lord made this truth (and all other blessings associated with it) available for our use in Jesus Christ. 

This passage refers to "the old self" and "the new self". How are the two compared? 

** The old self remains 'hopeless' in terms of getting saved; it is impossible for one to get it improved towards perfection. 

God created the new self in such a way that it can be made righteous and holy in the true sense of the word righteousness and holiness. God made it available in Jesus for each person to receive and put on.

Compare the expression "[former] way of life" with "your old self". How are the two (way vs. self) related? 

** The latter (self) determines the former (way), not the other way around. 

 

Think about the expressions "put off" or "put on". What do they suggest about the way God adorns his children?

** God adorns (with God's light) them by coming up with a brand new set of clothes, that is, the new self custom made for each of his children. So instead of trying to improve ourselves on our own  we need to take off the old self and put on the new self. 

Read verse 23. What does it mean to say, "[You were taught] to be made new in the attitude of your minds"?

** It means that when one repents and believes in Jesus, God will give him the Holy Spirit who in turn empowers/enlightens the believer to go for what God has already made available in the Lord, that is, receiving the new self created by God, so by putting on the new self, as he walks in steps with the Holy Spirit, he would attain Christlikeness. 

“Attitude” – neuma [spirit – disposition or influence, movement of air; mind – ‘nous’ [intellectual faculty such as the ability to understand or reason]

When one repents and turns to God, as one asks God for His Spirit, He gives that person the Holy Spirit who gives him the power/ability to see things clearly and go for what is good for life.      

Read verse 24. Why is it necessary for one to be like God "in true righteousness and holiness"? 

** Read Hebrews 12:14b; Rev 21:27 etc.