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That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:20-24).

It is easy to miss the urgency of these verses. One reason may be that we spend too much time isolated from unbelievers. Another reason is that some Christian fellowships focus largely on teaching doctrine, as if the Christian life is only about what we believe and know. In other fellowships, Christian ethics is limited to a narrow set of dos and don\\u2019ts. For example, in the Christian Reformed denomination the three historical cardinal sins were movie going, dancing and card playing.

So, what is the urgency of these verses? Paul is pressing home the point that Jesus followers are different than those who are not Christians. Having converted to Christ, we have been made new, we are recreated to be like God. This is not a matter of dressing differently or of attending worship services but of the core of our beings. Our desires are different, our hopes, our dreams, our attitudes. Our minds think differently.

Jesus put this succinctly, \\u201cYou must be born again\\u201d (John 3:3). As is clear, no one orchestrates their own birth, and no one arranges their rebirth as Christians. This is a work of God, as Jesus clarifies, \\u201cborn of water and the Spirit\\u201d (5). However, this work of the Spirit needs our cooperation, as Paul urges, \\u201cSince we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit\\u201d (Galatians 5:25). The Christian life cannot happen unless we join in with the Spirit. This is Paul\\u2019s urgent call here too, get on with it. Think the new thoughts. Live the new life. This must take priority in the life of a Christian. What will it look like for me to be a Christ follower at home, at work, at church, on social media, in our vehicles, in our entertainment?

If we want to know about this new life, we need to go no further than Jesus himself. Notice how Paul puts it: it\\u2019s a way of life we learned when we heard about Christ; we are taught in him and in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. Again, Jesus put it simply, \\u201cNo one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again\\u201d (John 3:3). In the kingdom of God, Jesus is Lord. Citizens of this kingdom submit themselves to him. We submit our minds, our desires, our actions, our hopes, our dreams, everything.

There are of course dangers in dancing, movie-going and playing cards. But to focus on these externals neglects the more important matters of the heart and mind and soul, of the new self that Paul and Jesus both insisted on. As we grow up into Christ, as the patterns of the new attitude of the mind are established in us, the old way of life loses its attraction.

Many non-Christians perceive church goers as haughty and self-righteous. We often stand at a distance from others, separating ourselves so that we will not be contaminated. Yet, if Jesus is our Lord and guide in the way of holiness and righteousness, such a posture towards others will not do. He was accused of being \\u201ca glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners\\u201d (Matthew 11:19). The \\u2018holiness and righteousness\\u2019 of Jesus do not cause us to withdraw from the world or stand in judgement over it. Rather, it enables us to go into the world as \\u2018salt and light,\\u2019 bringing the flavouring of the Kingdom of God to others. We will have believers in other gods as our friends while following Christ in our thoughts and behaviours.

As you submit yourself to the Holy Spirit, go as Kingdom citizens with this blessing:

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:17-21).