“With whom we all also once conducted ourselves in the cravings of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and the mind, and we were children by nature of wrath even as the rest.”

(Ephesians 2:3)

Paul has made his point already, yet continues to drive home its significance. How do you live? Do you live like a Christian or do you live like the world? Indeed, Paul makes it very clear that we all were “of the flesh” at one time, but now that you claim Christ is your Lord and Savior, do you still live according to the flesh? Are you known as one who makes decisions based on the Truth of the Bible? Are you one who is known for your love for the brethren, or are you spiteful and vindictive when you don’t get your way? Are you one who is known by the fruit of the spirit or are you one who is known by the works of the flesh? Does being a Christian mean more to your life than informing what you do on Sunday mornings?

We could go on, but the point is made. A Christian is one who is a Christian in both word and deed, not one who just talks the talk. A Christian is one who is known by their love for other believers and who seeks to be obedient to the Law of Christ in all things. And though we will not get things perfect all of the time — frankly, we will fall short all of the time — perfection is that which we seek. We won’t enjoy it until glory, but we should hunger for it here. Too many people go to church their whole life and yet never change in these basic areas. How sad it is when the church contents itself with complacency.

Paul insists that we are to live differently than we once lived when we were children of the flesh. And before our regeneration and conversion, we all were such. May we crave holiness and not the things of this world. Can you only imagine what our cultural witness would look like if we really lived like Jesus said we ought to live?