Read Ephesians 4:1-6

We have seen great theological truths revealing the believer's position in Christ—truths that show the believer soaring in the heavenlies! But now, coming down to earth and dealing with where we are: How are we to live day by day? How does our position in Christ work itself out in our lives practically?  How does Christ help us deal with the trials, problems, difficulties, and sufferings of day to day living?  The believer's walk is the subject of Ephesians from this point on.

Today we are going to focus upon walking worthy of our calling in Christ.  "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

We owe God more than we could ever pay. God has taken His own dear Son and...

provided the Ideal and Perfect righteousness for us.

provided a Substitute to die for us—to bear our punishment for having rejected, rebelled, and cursed God, and for having broken God's law.

provided deliverance from death for us through the reconciliation of Christ.

provided a new life for us—a life of love, joy, peace, and power through the Holy Spirit living within us.

provided the absolute assurance of living eternally with God forever and ever.

provided so much more that even an eternity could not describe it.

God has honored us as much as a creature can be honored—and more. He has seated us with Christ in the heavenlies to rule and reign with Christ forever and ever. God has done so much for us that He could do no more than what He has done. We do not see it all yet, for we are still on this earth—left here to be witnesses to the great and glorious salvation that is in Christ Jesus. But the day is soon coming when we will experience it all. God is going to make a new heaven and earth that will be perfect, in which there will be no suffering and no death, and we shall live eternally, ruling and reigning with Christ.

Let's consider five qualifications of a worthy walk as listed in Ephesians 4:2-3, we are to walk:

(1) with all lowliness and meekness. The first refers to humility. The latter though related certainly is not a synonym. The word translated as (2) meekness denotes not only mildness of nature, but being even-natured. It bespeaks discipline of emotions. Thus, the double injunction is both of humility as well as a disciplined temperament.  Moreover, to that is added the injunction (3) with longsuffering. The word translated as longsuffering denotes on the one hand steadfastness and perseverance and on the other, forbearance and slowness to avenge wrong. That is coupled with (4) forbearing one another in love.  In other words, it is putting up with one another in a spirit of love.  The fifth aspect of walking worthy of our vocation is (5) endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The word translated as endeavoring is that which is at times otherwise translated as ‘diligent’ or ‘diligence.’ Thus, the thought is of being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The thought simply is to be ever so careful to maintain unity and peace amongst God’s people. Thus, walking worthy of our salvation involves humility, discipline of emotion, endurance as well as putting up with one another. It certainly involves preserving peace among God’s people.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  Why do some Christians tend to think that their faith is only for church on Sunday mornings?

2.  In which area(s) do you need a change of attitude in order to improve your walk?

3. In your opinion, what is the greatest cause of division in the church?

4.  What kinds of things happen when there is divisiveness within the church?

5.  What can you do to bring unity to your church?

6.  What kinds of things does unity produce in a church?