Ephesians 2:1-6

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.  But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Jesus Christ’s work on the cross has made us alive.  Now we no longer walk in the culture and thinking of the world.  Now, unlike before, we walk in obedience to God’s Word.

• Obedience is required:  

Psalm 66:18 – If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.

 But obedience according to whose standards:  Not by man-made rules and regulations.

• Obedience to God’s standards.  

James 1:22 – “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” 

James 4:17 – “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

• How do we know God’s standards?

Through His Word.

Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

John 8:31-32 – So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

2 Timothy 3:15-16 – All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Through fellowship with other believers.

Hebrews 10:25 – not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Colossians 3:16 – Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Ephesians 4:11-13 – So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Through seeking God in prayer for guidance in your personal life.

James 1:5 — If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.

Proverbs 3:6 – In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.