A New Program

Ephesians 4:17-54

We contracted to do the plumbing for new dressing and restrooms at one of the City swimming pools. The city would provide the shower fixtures, while we would provide the rough-in materials and labor. They believed they could save a considerable amount of money because of their purchasing power.

We were given the specifications on the shower stalls they ordered, and roughed in for them. Because they were slightly different than what the architect had drawn, minor adjustments to the framing was required. When the shower stalls and faucets arrived, we discovered we had a problem. Everything we had roughed in was great. The shower stalls would fit perfectly.

The faucet assemblies that had been selected were designed to be installed in block shower walls, not fiberglass ones. They were pre assembled units with straight sides. The shower stalls were curved. Because they were special order material, the manufacturer would not take them back. To use different showers would require finding one that would work with the faucet assemblies, then re-framing and re-plumbing to fit.

After a great deal of experimentation and discussion, we were able to devise a way to modify both the faucet assembly and the shower stall and make an acceptable installation using the materials we had, but a great deal of additional time was needed to make the modifications.

The shower stalls and faucet assemblies could not work as a unit until the necessary modifications were made. The church will not work together until some necessary modifications are made in the parts to make them compatible. Carnal human beings are incompatible with a spiritual organization. Romans 8:6-8 describes the problem. “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

In order for a human to please God, We are going to have to live in the Spirit, rather than the flesh according to Romans 8:11-13. “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Paul describes the natural instincts of the human being .

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.” (Ephesians 4:17-19)

There is nothing good in our natural flesh. Every human being falls short of what God demands, and does things contrary to God.

“But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:20-24)

New programs are continuously developed to do some of the same jobs on a computer. Sometimes an old program is retained to run certain applications that malfunction under the new program. In effect, Christ has installed a new program in us in a similar manner. Now we decide which one to run. Newer applications may not run properly under the old program, but force of habit may well lead us to continue using the old program rather than the new. Using the new program requires some changes in our actions. Paul describes some of these changes.

“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:25) It is pretty dumb to lie to yourself. We are of the truth, and no lie is part of the truth.

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:26-27) When we let anger control us, we yield ourselves to Satan.

“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” (Ephesians 4:28) Become a giver rather than a taker. God loves a cheerful giver.

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:29-30) As James 1:26 tells us, “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.” His religion is worthless.

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour..” (Ephesians 4:31-5:2) Eliminate the old attitudes of bitterness and anger, replacing them with an attitude of forgiveness and kindness. Follow the example of Jesus.
.
“But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” (Ephesians 5:3-4) Sexual sin, pornography and lust don’t fit with holiness, and should not even be talked of among us, as it is a shame even to speak of them according to Ephesians 5;12. Silliness, dirty jokes and kidding around are also to be4 avoided. Instead, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (I Thessalonians 5:18)