I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called. (Eph 4:1)Paul urges the Ephesian Christians to "walk this way." (No reference to Aerosmith.) Why? Paul premises this command on what he said before. In chapter 3, Paul prayed for the Ephesian Christians (Eph 3:14-19). He asked that they would be rooted and grounded in love. He prayed that they could comprehend the vastness of the love of Christ "that surpasses knowledge" so that they would be filled with the fullness of God. In his grand sort of "amen" (Eph 3:20-21), he ends with how God "is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think." He follows that with, "I, therefore, urge you to walk ..." That's why. Now ... how?
"Walk in a manner worthy of the calling." Simple. Wait ... what? Well, in the first chapter, Paul prayed that they would have "the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might" (Eph 1:18-19). Paul is saying, "Walk that way." In chapter 2 Paul tells of how the Gentiles were once separated from God (Eph 2:11-12), but are now "brought near by the blood of Christ" (Eph 2:13) "that He might create in Himself one new man in place of the two" (Eph 2:15). Paul is saying, "Walk that way." Paul is saying, "You have been invited ..." ("called") "... to a grand feast, as it were, built on God's hope, His glorious inheritance, and His immeasurable power. You've been called to be one new man. So ... walk like it."
He tells them what that looks like. It's a walk "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph 4:2-3). That makes perfect sense once you figure out the calling. It is "worthy" -- deserving, comparable, appropriate -- of the calling. So ... is your walk marked by those characteristics? Or do you need to be reminded to "walk this way"?
2 comments:
I heard a story about a person that was new to an office, and during the tour could hear one typewriter going at a consistent pace. When he asked the guide about it, the response was, "Oh, she's a Christian." Even in her daily activity, she walked in a way that expressed her relationship with Christ.
For me, it’s hard to read the New Testament without noticing regular comparisons of the believer’s former self and the new creature they have become in Christ. This would naturally (or, rather, supernaturally) involve an adoption of a godlier demeanor and conduct as one walks anew in the Spirit and no longer in the flesh. To “walk in a manner worthy of your calling” makes me think of “conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentle[wo]man.” Likewise, my life should match up with my “station” as a daughter of the King. May I walk worthy of my calling until I am called home.
Post a Comment