"So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more."
Ephesians 4:17-19
Lately I've really started liking Ephesians 4 and 5. It talks about putting off the old man and becoming a new one. From what I can tell, that's something a lot of people seem to be missing. Sure, maybe we're giving to the poor, and maybe we're spending a lot of time in prayer or study of the scripture. Those things might not be the most important thing, though. I think we need to remember that as Christians we should be pressing on to have a transformed life. Sure, it doesn't happen overnight, but there should be some measurable amount of change in our lives.
When we lived without Christ our hearts were hard and we "indulged in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more." I guess its hard for me to see directly, but I know I still do things that I would have done even if I weren't a Christian. Are we changing? Has there been a change? Sometimes I think it's harder to see than at other times.
Maybe the difference is in the "sensitivity." Without Christ I can justify my sin and I can embrace it and indulge in it. That was a long time ago, though. Now I have a new sensitivity to sin. I know what is wrong (even though I may do it). It may just be me, but I really find motivation from Ephesians 4-5 to put more effort into living a holy and pure life.
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