#1454. Live according to the truth that is in Jesus (17/3/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God.

From Ephesians 4:20-21, we see that A good Christian birth emphasises both repentance and faith - turning from old ways of thinking, and turning toward Jesus and His way of life. 

To watch this devotional, please select the link below:

1. Becoming a Christian requires repentance

We all understand how important good care is when a child is born. But do we also recognise the importance of a good Christian birth?

Some people, and many of us, come to Christ with thoughts like:

“Jesus, come into my heart to make me happy…to fulfil my deepest needs…to take me to heaven…to give me prosperity…”

While God is loving and gracious, this is not the ideal motivation for conversion.

Paul shows us that when someone becomes a Christian, they are meant to learn a new way of life and be ‘taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.’ In other words, to become a Christian is to surrender our lives and make Jesus Lord in every area - we repent!

Repentance involves a metanoia - a total change of mind. 

Think of a house advertised as ‘fully furnished.’ It would be foolish to bring in all your old, broken furniture. Instead, you receive what the owner has provided.

In the same way, God wants to furnish our lives with His truth and His ways. We are called to leave - repent of - our old, sinful habits behind and receive His new life.

A good Christian birth always includes repentance 

We turn from our old life and embrace Christ, His salvation, and His lordship. We don’t come to Christ so God becomes my servant, but to make Him our Lord! 

2. Are we being taught the truth that is in Jesus?

In addition to repentance, a good Christian birth always includes Faith — trusting Christ and submitting to His will.

Paul speaks of learning a ‘way of life’ and being ‘taught in him.’ This raises two important questions.

i. Are We Good Learners?

Are we willing to be taught?

• Are we part of a church that teaches us how to live as Christians?

• Do we listen carefully to God’s Word?

• Do we respond to teaching with obedience and humility?

True disciples are not only hearers of the Word, but learners who put it into practice.

ii. Do We Have Good Teachers?

Paul’s words also imply that the church must take discipleship seriously. There should be a clear commitment to helping new believers - and all believers - grow in truth and holiness.

Sadly, some churches avoid speaking about sin and repentance. In the name of being welcoming, they fail to challenge people to change.

Of course, we must always be loving and sensitive. But how can anyone recognise their need for a Saviour or how to change unless sin is honestly addressed and grace is clearly proclaimed?

Response

A good Christian birth emphasises both repentance and faith - turning from old way of thinking and turning toward Jesus and His way of life. 

Terry Virgo shared an incident when, after preaching at a conference, one of the leaders in attendance, from the stage, asked the crowd, “Have you been blessed?” To which everyone responded with an enthusiastic, “Yes.” This leader followed up with a response, “No, you’re all deceived!” Terry was understandably concerned and thought, “What have I said!” Again, this leader said, “Do you think you have been blessed? The scripture says, ‘Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.’” and he added, “You haven’t done anything yet; you’ve just listened!” 

We will truly be blessed if we ‘do’ the teachings of Christ!

We must learn them and then live according with ‘the truth that is in Jesus’? 

Community Group Notes

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

2. Icebreaker

Something that builds relationships and confidence to share; it’s good to regularly use this moment to ask the group: How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a healthy balance between discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

On Sunday, we continued our series in Ephesians: To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God, focusing on Ephesians 4:17–24 and how we are to pursue the new life we have in Christ.

Please read Ephesians 4:17-24 and discuss:

1. Personal Reflection

• What stood out to you from Sunday’s message or this passage?

• Did the Spirit particularly impress anything on your heart?

Chapter 4 is taking us into application; having begun with how, as the body of Christ, we are to pursue unity and loving use our gifts to build one another up, he now insists we no longer live like those who don’t know Jesus. 

2. A new attitude to sex and relationships 

Verse 19, is about sexual sin - the reference to ‘greed’ is to be understood as having ‘an insatiable desire for more’. 

• Why is this especially important for us to hear in our culture?

• What does pursuing godliness in relationships look like in practice?

3. Be aware of deceitful desires 

• Verse 20, speaks of ‘deceitful desires’. Why must we not trust every thought or desire we experience?

• How do we learn to recognise what comes from the ‘old self’ - the flesh -  versus what comes from the Spirit?

4. Renewed minds by the Spirit

• We are  to pursue being ‘made new in the attitude (Spirit of) of your minds’;  how does dependence on the Spirit and personal effort work together for our transformation? 

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• Put on the new self: How does our ‘becoming like God’ lead to our becoming a light in this world? 

• Sharing Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing stories of how we’ve seen God at work through simple faithfulness.

• Practical Next Steps – Who might God be placing on your heart at this time? Are there any “people of peace” (see note) in your life—those who seem open, welcoming, or receptive to spiritual conversation?

Let’s Pray Together

Let’s pray for one another in light of what we’ve studied and bring any other needs before God.

• Pray for courage, wisdom, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in our Serve, Invest, and Invite opportunities.

• Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - that God would open hearts and deepen relationships.

• General prayer: From our study, or from personal needs, how do people want prayer?