“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Eph. 4:28).

Being born again (cf. John 3:7) at the point when one is baptized into Christ (cf. Gal. 3:27) has its visible results to be seen of men.  Such was true with Saul of Tarsus (cf. Acts 9:20, 27), the jailor of Philippi (cf. Acts 16:34) and many other examples referenced in the Bible.  When Paul wrote of “the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph. 4:24), he then begins to describe what that kind of life looks like in specific detail.  Consider the details of one such example found in Ephesians chapter four.

1. Ceases to Practice the Old Lifestyle. The first emphasis of righteousness and true holiness of a person whose life was previously dedicated to stealing is seen in the words, “Let him that stole steal no more” (Eph. 4:28).  The thief must completely stop practicing that way of life.  There are things that must be put away (cf. Eph. 4:22) before one can be converted to Christ and stay converted to Christ.  The very thought of living unto sin is an abomination to a convert.  Paul used the strongest of language concerning living unto sin, when he wrote, “God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Rom. 6:2).  While no one is saying that making a “180 degree” change in life is easy, such is the step that must be taken.  One cannot mix sin with righteousness (cf. 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1).
2. Commits to Pursuing an Honest Way of Living. The next concrete step of showing conversion is in the words “but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good” (Eph. 4:28).  Labor by working with one’s hands is an expression denoting honest and righteous effort for the meeting of one’s needs.  Paul used this expression to talk of his own work.  “And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:” (1 Cor. 4:12).  Paul wrote to the Thessalonian brethren, “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing” (1 Thess. 4:11-12).  Honest work that seeks to be productive and not destructive is truly an honorable endeavor.
3. Contributes of His Earnings to the Needs of Others. Paul wrote of a converted thief “that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Eph. 4:28).  Herein lies a key to a converted life.  While the previous goal was to take from people in a dishonest way now has changed to making an honest living to the point that one is willing to give to those in need. How different is such a lifestyle from the looting and pillaging of stealing.  Instead of cheating and devouring another he is now compassionate and distributing to others.  There has been a change of heart that now is seen in a change of lifestyle.  A publican once said to Jesus, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold” (Luke 19:8).  Jesus responded by saying, “This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham” (Luke 19:9).  It is truly marvelous to see concrete evidence of converted hearts and minds.

Jimmy Clark