Go! And… Live the New Life - Ephesians 4:17–32
Introduction: Living the Difference
Have you ever noticed how sometimes people say they are “Christian” yet their life looks no different from the world? Imagine you were watching a football match, and one player proudly wore his team’s jersey but kept passing the ball to the opposition, cheering when the other team scored! Would you believe he truly belonged to his team?
Sadly, that is what some of us look like in our Christian walk—wearing the name of Christ yet living as if we belong to the world.
Today, in our Go! And… series, God calls us to something far greater: to go and live the new life that is ours in Christ Jesus. Our key text is Ephesians 4:17–32 from the New Living Translation.
The Key Passage: Ephesians 4:17–32 (NLT)
17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused.
18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.
19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practise every kind of impurity.
20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ.
21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,
22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.
23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbours the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.
26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,
27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.
29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behaviour.
32 Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
1. The Contrast of Two Lives (vv. 17–19)
Paul begins with a warning: “Live no longer as the Gentiles do…”
In the first-century context, “Gentiles” (Greek: ???? – ethne) represented those outside the covenant of God, those living without the transforming power of Christ. Their minds were darkened (Greek: s??t?? – skotoo, meaning to obscure, to make blind).
Application for today, this could describe a culture chasing pleasure, consumed by materialism, closing their minds to the truth of God’s Word.
John Piper writes, “Sin is what you do when your heart is not satisfied with God.”
Piper reminds us that the old life is a life searching for satisfaction in the wrong places—sex, power, possessions, applause—yet never finding true fulfilment. Only Christ satisfies the heart.
Imagine drinking seawater when you are thirsty—it promises to quench your thirst but only leaves you more dehydrated. That is the life without Christ.
2. The Call to Put Off the Old (vv. 20–22)
Paul says, “throw off your old sinful nature” (Greek: ?p?t???µ? – apotithemi, meaning to lay aside as you would discard filthy clothes).
This is not self-help; this is repentance. Repentance is a change of mind and direction—turning from sin and self toward Christ.
R.T. Kendall once said, “Repentance means you hate sin enough to quit it.”
That is strong language, but it is the truth: We cannot cling to our old ways and claim to follow Jesus.
What old garments are you still wearing? Bitterness? Pornography? Gossip? Greed? Christ calls you to strip them off.
3. The Power of Renewal (vv. 23–24)
“Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes… put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”
Here Paul introduces the miracle of sanctification. The Greek word for “renew” is ??a?e?? – ananeoo, meaning a continual, ongoing process of being made new.
Charles Stanley said, “The Holy Spirit’s job is to make you like Jesus, and He will not stop until He’s finished.”
This is not behaviour modification; it is transformation by the Holy Spirit.
A caterpillar does not strap on wings and pretend to fly; it is transformed into a butterfly. Likewise, the Christian life is not about acting holy but being made holy from the inside out.
4. The Fruit of the New Life (vv. 25–32)
Paul gets practical: honesty, self-control, generosity, wholesome speech, kindness, and forgiveness.
Each of these reflects the character of Christ.
Stop lying—because Jesus is the Truth.
Deal with anger—because Jesus is the Prince of Peace.
Give generously—because Jesus gave everything for you.
Build up with words—because Jesus is the Word of life.
Forgive—because Jesus forgave you at the cross.
Max Lucado says, “God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus.”
How different would our workplaces, families, and churches be if we lived this way?
5. The Gospel at the Heart
Why can we forgive? Why can we change? Because Christ has changed us.
Jesus lived the sinless life we could not live.
He died the death our sins deserved.
He was buried, and on the third day, He rose again, conquering sin and death.
He ascended to heaven, and one day He will return.
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead now works in every believer through the Holy Spirit.
A Call to Action:
To believers: Stop living as if you are still wearing the rags of your old life. Live the new life Christ has given you.
To seekers and unbelievers: Today, repent. Turn from your old life. Trust in Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord.
Invitation to salvation:
If you have never surrendered your life to Christ, today is the day of salvation. Believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sins and rose again. Confess Him as Lord, and He will forgive you, cleanse you, and make you new.
Benediction:
Go now, clothed in the new nature Christ has given you. Walk in truth, live in love, speak with grace, and forgive as you have been forgiven. May the Spirit empower you to live a life that points to Jesus in a dark and desperate world. Amen.
