Before and After in Christ
Lectionary Texts: Psalm 72, Daniel 2:1-23, & Ephesians 4:17-5:1
The focus of this devotional will be based on the Ephesians text below
Ephesians 4:17-5:1
17So 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. 18They 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. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over
to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21when you heard about Christ
and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught,
with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by
its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on
the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your
neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26“In your anger do not sin”
d
: Do not let
the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a
foothold. 28Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing
something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with
those in need.
29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is
helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who
listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the
day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander,
along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving
each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
1Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and walk in the way of
love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and
sacrifice to God.
Meditation - “Before and After In Christ”
Have you ever paid any attention to “before and after” photos, or videos and then
marveled at the difference? Often compelling, isn’t it? In both directions I might add.
For years now this has been a prominent feature of entire television shows and series:
homes, cars, people, neighborhoods, etc., all transformed. By both directions, I mean
that, while the overwhelming trend in these kinds of stories is “profound improvement”,
there are a few examples, just as equally compelling in a negative direction. Consider
the effects of “substance abuse” on the human body for example. Of the two, most of us
gravitate toward tracking the “improved” or “renovated” version of a given subject, be it
a house, car, or one of us personally.The apostle Paul, in his letter to the church in Ephesus, gives us a picture of the
“before-we-are—in-Christ” individual and follows that up with the process of reaching
the “renovated”, thoroughly improved self. The Holy Spirit initiates this work, of course.
However, we are expected to be active participants in the project.
Paul lists four characteristics of our “before” selves: our not yet in Christ selves. They
are as follows: #1 we think we are wise and sophisticated masters of our destiny; #2 we
are completely ignorant of God as he is “essentially”; #3 we are hard-hearted (tough on
ourselves and others); #4 our lives tend toward the lewd and lascivious (wild-at-heart).
In contrast, Paul reminds the church then and all of us today, that we were taught
something else, something different, something better when we came into contact with
the gospel of Christ. We were taught to keep our negative emotions (anger for example)
in check. We were taught to do an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay, so that
we could not only provide for ourselves but also help meet the needs of others. We
were taught to be compassionate and forgiving. In short, we were taught to follow the
example of Christ.
What would all of this work and effort produce? Disciples of Christ are now “walking in
the way of love”. The “after” picture of us now “in-Christ” is someone who keeps a
marriage intact and thriving, creates safe and nurturing homes for children to be born,
and grow to become Christ followers, and beneficial contributors to the welfare of
others. In short, Christ followers create beauty and bounty for God’s glory and
humanity’s benefit. Like the life of Jesus, the Christ of God, we too, as Christ-followers
are a “fragrant offering and a living sacrifice to God: a beautiful “after” picture indeed.