TEXT: Eph 4:1-3.
By: Bro Marvis Kaine.
Download Lesson
“I therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God’s service 2 living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another. 3 Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [and produced by] the spirit in the binding power of peace. ’’ Amp
The above text is one of apostle Paul letters from prison to the brethren at Ephesus urging them to walk worthy of their calling to the Lord and same letter is to us Christians this morning to walk worthy of our calling that is, a call to God’s service. While he (Paul) was a prisoner (of Rome), he was not bother about it but took it that he was a prisoner of the Lord. He knew that he was the Lord’s. For the Lords sake he was there hence the plea for us to walk worthy of our calling forgetting his state of imprisonment.
To “walk” is figuratively used by the Apostle which means to live a life deserving respect, admiration or support as seen in the early Christians that led to them been called Christians. We are all called by the gospel to God’s service II thes 2:14-
“Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining glory of our Lord Jesus Christ’’ KJV
By this calling we are made royalties of the kingdom of God I Pt 2:9
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation (God’s) own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light’’ Amp
As royalties, Christians must lead a life worthy of royalty. As a royalty (either by birth or marriage), one is expected to lead a life of a royalty. That is you don’t live like every ordinary citizen and same can be said of the Christian to lead a peculiar life as royalties in the kingdom of God.
By walking worthy of this calling that is how we avoid apostasy and this calling is to salvation (II Peter 1:5-9, Rom 8:28-38
In our day to day life especially in the Lords vineyard, you hear people say that ‘singing is not my calling’, ‘teaching is not my calling’, and ‘evangelism isn’t my calling’ but a few to mention. As Christians it is our ‘calling to serve’’ with behavior that is a credit to the summons of God service. This calling is often misunderstood to reduce it to a specific role, profession or career. The calling is a life time service to God in obedience and that calling is for every Christian and not for a few. We (Christians) all have been called with regard to what we can do in the kingdom of God. To walk worthy of this calling one must walk with;
LOWLINESS (HUMILITY)-Eph 4:2
It is the desire of God for us to be humble. The humbled are honored because they honor instruction. Without humility there is little growth because openness to growth is predicated on not thinking we know it all. To be humble is to lose oneself for a cause. To walk worthy of your calling, live a life of humility. James 4:6
“But he give more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud but give grace unto the humble” KJV
MEEKNESS (gentleness, Unselfishness, mildness)
This involves putting others first. This means taking a stance or position of lowliness, a servant like position for the purpose of helping others. The meek person will not be puffed up, self-seeking or full of his own importance. The goal of every Christian is to develop a meek and gentle Christ- like spirit that will aid us in helping others and do God’s will. God controlled people will never mistreat their fellow men-I thes 2:6-7,
”Nor did we seek glory from me, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ 7 but we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mothers cherishes her own children” KJV cf 2cor 10:1-2
LONGSUFFERING (Patience) –
Christians must be patient if we are to live up to our calling. Longsuffering (patience) is “waiting without compliant”
Children of God must be patient with God in their prayer life. God is not in a hurry; He will do what’s best in the fullness of time. Patient with ourselves (dealing with circumstances). Giving ourselves time to grow and to overcome. Remain steadfast and don’t get discouraged – James 1:3-4,
“Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience 4 but let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be (people) perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing”. Amp
And be patient with others I Thes 5:14-
14 and we earnestly beseech you, brethren, admonish (warn and seriously advise) those who are out of-line [the loafers, the disorderly and the unruly]; encourage the timid and fainthearted, help and give your support to the weak souls, and be very patient with everybody [always keeping your temper]. Amp
See also II tim 2:24, 25.
FORBEARING (showing patient and unruffled self-control and restraint under adversity)
In making our calling worthy, Christians must bear with one another in love. We are not all the same and not all see things the same way. We must recognize that we are less than perfect. Apostle Paul admonished us (Christians) to keep bearing the short comings and differences of other people. Tolerance based on godly virtue will enhance our faith and we must not compromise our belief- Col 3:12-14.
KEEPING THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT-
this is the unity of the truth, teaching the same thing and Christ-exacting. In keeping the unity of the spirit, it requires effort from each one of us to have that unity. The psalmist noted it to be pleasant – psa133:1
1BEHOLD, How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Amp.
We should take note that the larger the congregation gets the more variation in people there is, the harder the unity becomes. But the reward is worth the effort because it pleases God to see His children in unity because it shows His presence and work in our lives and it reaches out to others. Keeping the unity of the spirit makes our work and worship together more fulfilling and meaningful. This unity will only last as long as the effort for unity last. Rom 14:19. The big question is “what are you doing for the unity of the Church here in Grey?” See Heb13:1, I Cor 6:7, Phil 1:21, 2:5, 3:14-16
CONCLUSION
As a royalty in the kingdom of God, lead a life that is worthy of your calling. II Peter 1:10-
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give dillegence to make your calling and election sure: for if y do you will never
May God bless this words in heart in Christ name Amen
Download Lesson
