A NEW WALK: FAITH THAT MOVES
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
Ephesians 4:17 (NIV)
As a young Marine, I lived on the third floor of the barracks. Every morning, the last thing I passed before heading out to work was a mirror at the bottom of the stairwell. Beside it hung a sign:
Is there enough evidence in the mirror to prove you are a Marine?
That sign got me every time.
If my boots weren't shined or my uniform wasn't squared away, the mirror showed it. Upstairs, I could make excuses. Downstairs, I had to face what was right in front of me. Some mornings, I knew something needed fixing and walked out anyway, hoping nobody would notice. Other Marines usually spotted it immediately. Ignoring the mirror didn't change what they saw. Paul's words invite us to examine our spiritual walk with that same honesty. When he insists in the Lord, he speaks with the LORD's authority. These believers belonged to Christ, and their daily lives needed to reflect that identity. They could no longer follow the patterns of a life disconnected from God.
We can know the right answers and still excuse the wrong behavior. We can profess faith in Jesus while our words, attitudes and private choices tell a different story. Where does our walk contradict what we say we believe? The mirror in the barracks didn't make me a Marine. It revealed whether my appearance reflected who I already was. Likewise, obedience doesn't earn our salvation. Ephesians 2:8-10 reminds us that we are saved by grace through faith, and that God created us in Christ Jesus for good works.
God's Word reveals what needs to change. Our response is to trust Him and obey. When Scripture exposes something in our lives, we need to address it rather than walk past it.
APPLICATION: Ask God to show you one habit, attitude or response that contradicts your faith. Choose one concrete step of obedience today, whether that means apologizing, speaking truthfully or turning away from a temptation you have been excusing.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for saving me by grace and giving me a new life in Christ. Help me honestly face what Your Word reveals and give me courage to obey You in today's ordinary decisions. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?