Ephesians: Session 9 – From Grave Clothes to Grace Clothes

Notes:

From Grave Clothes To Grace Clothes – Ephesians 4:17-32

Eph. 4:17. The word “worthy” (Eph. 4:1) means ‘becoming’ or what is appropriate, as in dress (Phil.1:27).

  • When a beggar inherits a fortune he puts off his old rags. Lazarus was raised from the dead, but still bound with the grave clothes. They represented the realm of death from which he had come. But now he was alive and these were not appropriate for him.
  • “From grave clothes to grace clothes.” We put off the old way of life in Adam and put on the new life in Christ.
  • Eph. 4:25-32. Examples – “lying”, “anger”, “stealing”, “corrupt language”, “bitterness”, “slander”

How do we put off these grave clothes? Incorrect ways:

  • Crisis experience.
  • Cast out the demon.
  • Afflict yourself.
  • “Let go and let God.”
  • Eph. 4:17-20. “But you have not so learned Christ…”
  • Eph. 4:22-24. What does it mean to put off the old and put on the new?
  • We have put off the old man, i.e. the unregenerate person we once were in Adam.
  • The old nature is what we were by birth, (Rom.6:6). This has been done away with at the new birth.
  • Yet, here in Eph. 4:22 we are exhorted to put off the “conduct” that corresponds to the old man. This is a reference to the behavior, habits, lifestyle, (Heb.12:1; Jas.1:21;  1 Pet.2:1).
  • Put off the grave clothes; but don’t remain naked. Put on the grace clothes of the new man.
  • The exhortation to put on the new man is to be who we are. This is the New Testament way of holiness. Believe who you are and live accordingly.

Two important truths that distinguish the Christian life from legalism and morality:

  • We have been given something. This new man, this new garment is not something we manufacture. We have been given a life; His life! He that has the Son has the life.
  • The way Christians are to deal with the old is to focus on the new: “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal.5:16). “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Rom.13:14). Examples:
  • Eph. 4:25. Stop lying by speaking the truth with every one
  • Eph. 4:28. Stop stealing by learning to give.
  • Eph. 4:29. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth by using your tongue to edify people
  • Eph. 4:31-32. Put away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking & malice by being kind, tender-hearted, etc.
  • Don’t let sin reign in your body, by yielding your members as instruments of righteousness unto holiness.
  • Don’t fight the darkness; turn on the light!
  • Don’t focus on overcoming evil; do good!
  • Don’t fight Satan; love and fellowship with God! “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
  • Don’t concentrate on putting off the old; put on the new – that’s the secret!


  # Answers to this quiz are found in the notes above. Click on quiz to commence. Only correct spelling is recognised. A minimum 70%  correct is required to advance to the next session.