In chapter 4:17-32, the key verse in this passage is verse 18, in which Paul refers to the “hardness of their heart”, speaking of the Gentiles who have not been awakened to Christ. The key to Ephesians as a book is chapter 1, verse 22, in which Paul instructs us that all things were put “in subjection” under the feet of Christ.
Hardness of heart is another description of rebellion against subjection to Christ, meaning that it is the opposite of belief in Christ and a refusal to be subject to the authority of Christ.
The secondary meaning of this passage is the laying aside of the old self and putting on the new self. By this, we understand that Paul is exhorting us to put aside sin and rebellion against God and instead to be renewed and transformed in Christ through the Holy Spirit.
Paul drills down deeper starting in verse 25, in which he exhorts us to lay aside falsehood, stealing, unwholesome words, grieving the Holy Spirit, bitterness, wrath, anger, and malice. These are representative sins and evil practices we must lay aside to live out reconciliation to God and subjection to Christ.
In contrast, we put on the new self by speaking truth, not holding on to anger, not giving the devil an opportunity, hard work, generosity with those in need, speaking words which edify the body of Christ, living as a channel for God’s grace to others, being sensitive to the Holy Spirit, showing kindness to others, having a tender heart, and forgiving each other.
We should stop here and discuss how we can lay aside the old self and put on the new self. Paul discusses this in more detail in Romans chapters 7 and 8. Specifically, in Romans 7:14, he highlights how we are naturally in bondage to sin. Conversely, in Romans 8:12-15, Paul explains that in Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit we are no longer in bondage to sin. Christ has broken the bondage, and through the Holy Spirit, we are able to live unto holiness and righteousness.
In videos that together gained more than 5 million views, Jordan Peterson explains that claiming belief in God is very difficult, for if we say that we believe in God then we must obey Him fully. He says further that this obedience is nearly impossible, which is why he hesitates to claim belief in God. Peterson seems to be moving toward believing on Christ, yet it is difficult just from his videos and interviews to see the kind of humility one would expect from a true believer.
The greatest difficulty I have with Jordan Peterson’s hesitation to claim belief in God, as expressed in these videos, is that he makes it all out to be based on our own works. This is a most unfortunate misunderstanding of the Christian way, for we can only do what Paul exhorts with the help of the Holy Spirit. We, being dead in trespasses and sins and in bondage to sin, cannot lay aside the old self on our own. We must have another, a Mediator who is Christ Jesus, break the bondage on our behalf. We do this through belief on Christ in response to the working of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
Even our initial belief on Christ is heavily aided by the Holy Spirit. We must not diminish the work of the Holy Spirit in this process of laying aside the old self and putting on the new self.
- John 3:34 The Holy Spirit is giving to us without measure.
- John 6:63 It is the Holy Spirit who gives life.
- John 7:39 We receive the Holy Spirit, meaning that He is at work in our hearts and dwelling within us, not as in a partial indwelling, but a dwelling which takes up the whole heart.
- John 14:17 The Holy Spirit abides in those who believe in Christ. Again, not a partial abiding but abiding in the whole heart.
- John 14:26 It is the Holy Spirit who teaches us.
- John 15:26 The Holy Spirit is described as a Helper, Who we understand aids us in becoming true disciples of Christ.
- John 16:8 The Holy Spirit convicts the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.
- John 16:13 The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, that is, the truth of God.
These are just some of the teachings of Christ concerning the work of the Holy Spirit both in the world and in our hearts and lives. We understand through this teaching that we cannot live in obedience to Christ apart from the Holy Spirit.
Further, in order to be filled up with the fullness of God, the Holy Spirit must abide and dwell in us. This means we must allow the Holy Spirit to remove 100% of the old self to make our hearts and lives a habitation and dwelling place suitable for the Holy Spirit.
Probe Ministries, Pew Research, and Barna Group have all published similar survey statistics over the recent years indicating that in the United States Christianity is on the decline. The surveys have revealed a high amount of pluralism, a low degree of belief on the authority of Christ, and low commitment.
It is painfully obvious from reading these surveys that today’s church is ignorant of these basic teachings on the work of the Holy Spirit and the object of belief on Christ, namely, laying aside the old self and putting on the new self. A person who is familiar with these basic teachings cannot accept a pluralistic view of religions because no other set of religious beliefs has the Holy Spirit. Where other religions teach righteous practices, they are all centered around our own works apart from any aid of the Holy Spirit – they are works-based such as what Jordan Peterson proposes.
The book of Ephesians also confronts us with the reality of Christ, particularly through subjection to Christ. Once again, these surveys highlight the vast ignorance among today’s so-called Christians because they do not understand the authority of Christ and our subjection to Him.
This is how we can know that the Bible is not being taught in our churches today. Christ’s authority is not presented from the pulpit, and the Holy Spirit is not explained. In short, there is a gross lack of understanding on the kingdom of heaven and how we can know we are a member of it.
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