Ephesians 4:17-18
This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;
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The apostle Paul was writing those words in today's Scripture to the believers, the church, at Ephesus. That was a city that was so very prominent in the Roman empire at the time and a church that was so important in the growth of the early church.

We should not forget that when Paul, Saul the Pharisee at the time, had a radical, totally life-changing experience on the road to Damascus he was on his way to persecute the believers when he encountered the Lord Jesus Christ. It was made clear that his ministry would be to bear the Name of the Lord to the gentiles, to kings, and to the sons of Israel. {Acts 9:15} He was called to be a minister of Jesus to the Gentiles bringing the gospel in order that they might become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit {Rom.15:16} and no longer excluded from the life of God. And he was certainly faithful to that calling!

Paul would write in his letter to the churches of Galatia, for us all to hear, that 'there is neither Jew nor Greek (gentiles), nor slave or free man, neither male or female, for we are all one in Christ.' {Gal.3:28} So we, all true believers, are all called to walk in that new life purchased for us so dearly with the blood of the Lamb on the cross of Calvary! New life must bring with it a new lifestyle!

What should that lifestyle look like? Well, Paul wrote to those believers in Ephesus that they (again, and us) are to be imitators—literally 'mimics' in the original Greek—of Jesus. {Eph.5:1} Or if that may seem too difficult, then just imitate Paul, a human type man saved at the cross just like you and me. Who by the way imitated Jesus Christ! {1Cor.11:1} So, if you have been saved by the work of the cross, which is the only way possible, and then you do the will of God, you are so much more than Jew or Greek, you are a child of God and part of the family of God; {Matt.12:50}

It is only in the unity of that new life that we together as the body of Christ will always be led in triumph in Christ, and manifest the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. {2Cor.2:14}

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”
(Ephesians 5:1-2)

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE BEFORE MEN