I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, (ESV)

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. (NIV)

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. (NLT)

Series Intro

Dive Deeper:

Paul starts his letter to the Ephesians with three chapters detailing the mystery and wonder of the truth of the Gospel that has been revealed to us. It’s an appropriate way to start before he urges the readers in Chapter 4 to not merely “talk the talk” but to “walk the walk.” We are to look unlike the world around us—operating out of the truth that Paul laid out in the beginning of Ephesians. Our faith is useless without being put into action. Consider the profound words of James in his letter:

“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” James 2:17-18 

The idea here isn’t that we are saved by works, but that works are evidence of saving faith. They are not the cause but the effect. Good works are the outward display of our inner transformation; they demonstrate that we have stepped out of crippling darkness and into marvelous light, casting off the chains of sin and embracing the gentle yoke of Christ–– belonging to Him alone. We don’t walk worthy in order to be approved by God, but rather because we already are. 

Abide Not Subscribe

Our culture today is more concerned about whether you subscribe to their group's set of beliefs than what those beliefs look like put into action. Everyone wants to have the moral high ground but it’s a lot to ask to represent it. The world just wants to know if you will say the right thing. 

We need to be different from the common culture. We can no longer just claim to belong to Christ and not have anything to show for it, lacking fruit. Instead, let us be uncommon to everyone around us, letting our beliefs transform us beyond the superficial and overflow into our walk. As Jesus says, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35 (ESV)

Now then, walk worthy–in the footsteps of the Worthy Lamb who was slain––who walked perfectly on our behalf all the way to the cross. We can walk worthy of the calling because the One who called us is worthy. 

Written by Keaton Hewitt 

Challenge:

Does what you believe impact the way you live your life? Ask your community if they have seen the Fruit of the Spirit in your life lately. If they say otherwise, resist being quick to defend and instead spend time with the Lord reflecting on their feedback.