We are part of the same body. 

Stop lying and start telling each other the truth. 

Ephesians 4:25 CEV

Having encouraged us to put off the old and put on the new, Paul gives us some "how to's". 

First he reminds us how connected we are, it's like we're all joined up, literally limbs of the same body. 

The analogy kind of falls apart when we think about how many of us there are, but this idea of being connected, of being affected by what's going on for one another, in some way experiencing what one another are experiencing, joy, sorrow, victory, despair, fear, loss, grief. 

We're connected. 

(And that also means we're not alone).

Paul's first "how to" for this interconnected new life that we're putting on is to stop something, and to start something new.

Put off the old: lying

Put on the new: telling each other the truth.

We think lying is simple, but there can be complex reasons why we lie.

We think telling the truth is easy, but there can be complex reasons why we don't.

So it's helpful to go up a level, Paul is writing to a church, a group of Christians and encouraging them in their faith. Read Eph 1 for context. When we see ourselves and our community as Eph1 sees us, then our place of connectedness is safe, nurturing, hope filled, and focused on Jesus.

That community may be quite small for you and that's OK, but find it, nurture it, rest in it. 

And in that safety, love, communion, there we can stop telling lies to ourselves and others, and tell the truth. 

We can keep it real. 

#lovepeople