By Betty Strickland

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ,...(Ephesians 4:17-20)

In verse 17 Paul tells the Ephesians (and there-by to us) to "no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles". Why? It is because when we are baptized into Christ we become a NEW person. Before baptism we were dead in trespasses.

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses... (Col. 2:15)

The old man was buried

Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. (Col. 2:12)

We arose to walk in newness of life

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)

In our text, Paul told the Ephesian Christians to "walk worthy". You are no longer in "darkness and alienated from God. Those "outside of Christ (our worldly neighbors) walk in "futility of their minds, trusting in their ‘way’ rather than God’s ways.

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8) You have now learned of Christ, therefore you are no longer ignorant and blind as those of Eph.4 verse 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart. Those who refuse to learn and obey God’s Word have no shame or remorse and are blind by choice (verse 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.). Their hearts are calloused and because they refuse to retain God in their knowledge "God gave them over to a debased mind to do things which are not fitting" (Romans 1:28). God’s wrath is against all unrighteousness and ungodliness (Romans 1:18).

Remember, when Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels - He will be taking vengeance on those who know not God and on those who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. – (2 Thes. 1:7,8.) Please do not be in that number...