You may have wondered if this was an advertisement for a national department store!! But this concept alluded to in the title is also very applicable to one trying to get their life straight and their desire to rid themselves of old habits and evil ways, as they prepare for a life dedicated to their new Master – Jesus Christ. Stay with me as we look into these words from Paul to the Ephesian church. I believe you will be amazed at how applicable this instruction still is to us today!

DATE POSTED Tuesday, 2022-10-25
WRITTEN AT: Leesburg, FL

BY: Ed Algreen

SCRIPTURE FROM: Ephesians 4:17; 20-24;
TRANSLATION: The Message (MSG)

BIBLE TEXT: 17 And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd.  20-24 But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.

APPLICATION: It is so easy to go along with the crowd, and to try and please those who seem to be popular and/or seem to know what they want in life. But I’m sure that you have run into the same realization as I have, in recognizing after a very short time, that many of those who seem popular and have their act together, has much to be desired. Friends, when one gives their heart to the lordship of Jesus Christ, it mirrors a person going down a road of destruction without a firm grip on what they want in life, and as the moment of salvation comes when they accept Jesus. Suddenly, Jesus gives new life and miraculous meaning to our life, and we make a complete 180 degree turn to follow Him. You see, Paul is helping us to understand that unless we make that 180-degree turn, we will show Jesus that we want to find and experience Him among the crowd of crazy friends that have misled us all along. Jesus said, follow me and I will show you life eternal in a place that is ‘out of this world’. A place that is unlike any experience here on earth, no matter how much we may have spent to experience it. For the one who is stuck in a rut and following the ways of the same old crowd, or what appears to be the popular crowd, and have not discovered the ultimate Leader yet, let me assure you that it was no accident or mistake that you happened across this devotional today, for God doesn’t operate by mistake or happenchance, He specializes in divine appointments with His children at just the right time, with just the right words, for He cares so much for you that He sacrificed His very own, precious Son, so that you can find the means of forgiveness through Him. There is only one way to heaven my friend, it has nothing to do with the friends you keep, the money you have, or the places you visit, even though they all sound very appealing to a child of this world. Jesus is the answer to all of your questions, dilemmas, bad friends, and appalling practices that you have developed from the family and friends you have hung out with over the years. Make that turn today dear friend. Leave the ‘old’ way of life behind you, and follow the life of Jesus today, for it leads to eternal peace and security in the arms of Jesus and eternity in heaven with He and the Father. No worries about leaving the fun and the good times behind, the best is yet to come! Imagine, you will then be leading those who follow you, on the right path that will impact their lives for all eternity!

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Regardless of the challenges we experience in life today, there are better times ahead! Awesome times of peace with the Father and in experiencing His love intimately and personally, as we will be bowing at His feet and experiencing His love and adoration for His children!

PRAYER: Why me Lord, what have I ever done, to deserve God’s own Son? For I was walking down a bad road just like I described above, before You miraculously accepted my plea for forgiveness, and You gave me strength to turn around and instead follow a path that leads to eternal life in heaven with You. Lord, I pray that this will be a day that goes down on the list of most memorable for many today as You tug on their heart’s door and convince them of their sin and their need for a Savior. Please use this devotional as a tool to encourage the most stubborn person and draw men and women unto Yourself today, for this is my humble plea and greatest desire. AMEN!