New Testament Christianity
By John Earp
Ephesians 5:1 NASB Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. 3 But sexual immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness or foolish talk, or vulgar joking, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, which amounts to an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 See that no one deceives you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 as you try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the useless deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason it says,
“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”
15 So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father; 21 and subject yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.
When we look at the New Testament, we find a vast and tragic difference between the churches of those days and now, by and large. In those apostolic days, the gospel went forth in purity and great power, transforming the lives of those who were converted through it. The above passage from Ephesians, which the inspired Apostle Paul wrote to Christians (the church is the people of God, not a physical building) and directly warned them of the dire consequences of living a carnal, sinful life. Nowadays, many seem to think they know better than Jesus or the apostles, and would surely call Paul “a legalist” for preaching such straight truths as, “No sexually immoral or impure or greedy person has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” Filthiness or foolish or vulgar talk is likewise condemned by the God in this passage. Nowadays, we even have some cases where even some PREACHERS, of all things, see nothing wrong with using profanity—even in the pulpit! Also, sexual immorality is nowadays far more prevalent even among those who call themselves Christians than faithfulness within the bonds of marriage. People often say “it’s just a piece of paper,” when referring to marriage. It is instead a COMMITMENT to the one you love for life. The only reason anybody has for living together without getting married is because they want an easy out if things don’t go as well as they had hoped. In any case, the New Testament roundly condemns sexual activity outside of marriage, in every case.
It is high time that those who name the name of Christ depart from iniquity, and instead pursue the life Christ has called all to live—a holy life, set apart from the world’s ways. The world says, “If it feels good, do it,” or “Do what makes you happy.” Jesus Christ says, “If any one would follow me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
Make no mistake—genuine, New Testament Christianity is a far more than saying you’re a Christian, having said a prayer one time, being a member of a local church, or being very active in doing good things for others. New Testament Christianity is a cross-centered life, in which the believer has repented of all known sin, has died to his or her old ways, takes up one’s cross daily in the power of Christ, and follows (obeys) Him. In Matthew 7, speaking of the judgement day, Jesus said that many would say to Him “in that day, Lord, lord,” but He will say to them, “Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness! I never knew you!”
While you still have time, make sure your heart has been made pure and holy by the blood Jesus shed on Calvary through repentance and faith, and then every day live 100% for Him. There is absolutely no better way to live. All other pursuits are absolutely foolish, according to Scripture.