So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. Ephesians 4:17
There is a great difference between friendly counsel and insistence. With counsel, freedom is granted to decide as one sees fit. Insistence, however, brings with it an expectation. If any other choice is made, disappointment will most certainly result.
In his letters, the Apostle Paul urges many things. Rarely does he say, "I insist!" In this passage, however, his friendly counsel is replaced with insistence. Interestingly, his insistence isn't about any type of physical action. There are plenty of times he said, "Stop gossiping! Stop stealing! Stop fighting! Stop chasing after your lusts!" But did he insist upon these things?
Paul had a knack for hating the sin and loving the sinner. Perhaps, it is due to his own sin. He considered himself the worst of all sinners because he persecuted the church. At the center of Paul's theology is a primary theme: God's grace. God's grace covers all our choices - even the bad ones. It wasn't like Paul to say, "Do this because I said so!" This time was unique, and his insistence wasn't about what one "does" but what one "thinks."
Futility of thinking won't get us anywhere.
Will I ever overcome my sin if I continue to think I will never overcome it?
Will I ever realize the calling on my life if I cannot comprehend the hope of what God has given me?
How I think controls who I am. How I think controls who I become.
Lord, my whole life has been plagued by futility of thinking. How did I become such a pessimist about myself when I am so often optimistic about others? I can see a wonderful future for so many other people, but I struggle to believe it for me. You have great plans. Help me to see it. Help me to believe it. Help me to think it.