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Here is what I\u2019m telling you. I am speaking for the Lord as I warn you. You must no longer live as the Gentiles do. Their thoughts don\u2019t have any purpose. They can\u2019t understand the truth. They are separated from the life of God. That\u2019s because they don\u2019t know him. And they don\u2019t know him because their hearts are stubborn. They have lost all feeling for what is right. So, they have given themselves over to all kinds of evil pleasures. They take part in every kind of unclean act. And they are full of greed. (Ephesians 4:17-19).

Having spent the Advent and Christmas season exploring Luke\u2019s account of Jesus birth, we return to Ephesians. Recall that the opening chapters expounded the grand redemptive work of God in Christ. Though often hidden behind the curtain of history, God\u2019s grace is the colour that ties the whole story together. And we, believers in Jesus, are supporting actors in this drama.

Having laid out the broad contours of the story, Paul now turns his attention to helping us play our part. At first glance, I was tempted to offer a diatribe on the lifestyle of unbelievers. But I think that misses the point. Paul is addressing Christians here and is concerned about how they, that is we, live. People in the church often like to make a sharp distinction between those inside the Christian family and those on the outside.

However, Paul recognizes that many of the impulses, habits, attitudes and even behaviours of unbelievers follow disciples into the fellowship. Just because we have put our faith into Jesus, does not mean that we have expunged ourselves of the desires and reactions that don\u2019t belong in the Christian life. This is what Paul addresses now. He wants to see this prayer answered, \u201cGod, see what is in my heart. Know what is there. Test me. Know what I\u2019m thinking. See if there\u2019s anything in my life you don\u2019t like. Help me live in the way that is always right\u201d (Psalm 139:23-24).

So, what is he concerned about here? He ends with one word: greed. The dictionary defines this as an intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food. Chapter 3 helps us understand this. There Paul prays that we know the love of Christ, that we \u201cmay be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God\u201d (3:19). We humans need to be filled with something. If we are not filled with the fullness of God, we will seek out something else to be filled with.

This desire for fulfillment will exercise itself in some form of greed, often hiding under the surface. For example, think of a parent who frequently tells their child to consider studying medicine, along with the explanation, \u201cI want the best for you.\u2019 The truth is that the parent was not able to fulfill her dream of being a doctor.

Greed comes disguised in many forms, seeking to help us find fulfillment because we have separated ourselves from God, who is life. Truth here is not hard cold facts such as 1 + 1 = 2 or rocks do not float on water. Rather, it is Jesus\u2019 statement, \u201cI am the way and the truth and the life\u201d (John 14:6). We either follow him or our own hidden impulses. He is either our vine or we seek nourishment somewhere else.

Paul\u2019s challenge in much of what follows is that we Christians examine our hearts. How stubborn are we? \xa0This is akin to the idea of the hard hearts, which have closed themselves off to God \u2013 a process that takes time, happening bit by bit, in one small decision at a time. Often these decisions happen in response to negative situations we encounter. Rather than turning to God in hope and faith, we turn away from him in anger and disappointment, no longer expecting anything from him.

But if we are to be helpful supporting actors in the work of God, our hearts need to be open to him, soft and receptive to the Spirit, no longer filled with selfish greed, but with the life of Christ. As you allow the Spirit to examine your heart, go 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).