A Worthy Walk
Eph 4:1-6
7-29-07

Paul tells us in this passage to “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.”  Then that would imply that each of us has a God called vocation.  There is something that God wants us to do, and you can tell from the context that it has to do with the body of Christ.  In other words, we have a function in the body, something that we can do that contributes to the growth of the body of Christ. 

To walk worthy of this vocation means to make sure you live your life so that it is worth the calling.  If you look at the use of the word worthy in the Bible it has that meaning (Gen 21:10; Deut 17:6; 1 Sam 1:5).

So, Paul gives you some things you need to do in order to walk worthy of your vocation.

Obviously you would have to first find out what that vocation is to which you are called – v.1 – there are many vocations to which people are called – musician, preacher, teacher, helper, soul winner, encourager, minister [like Sue providing food], worker [like secretary, bookstore, administrator].  What is it that God wants you doing for him?  See 1 Pet 4:10

One way to find out is to just find a place to start doing something to help – God reveals his will to those who are doing what they can today.  The best way to prepare for tomorrow is to do what you are supposed to do today.

Then once you know what it is you are supposed to be doing, follow these simple rules –

Walk with:

Lowliness – v. 2 – that is you don’t do what you do for recognition or for self esteem – you are an unprofitable servant Lk 17:10 – just do the job and don’t draw attention to yourself or away from somebody else.  People get a feeling of self importance, like this ministry couldn’t function if it weren’t for me.

Meekness – v.2 – often your calling may involve things like 2 Tim 2:24-26, where you have to rebuke someone or admonish and reprove them.  Do it with meekness not with pride and arrogance or haughtiness and a condescending attitude [Gal 6:1}

Longsuffering – v.2 – we are in this work for the long haul so you might as well get used to the idea that things are not always going to work out the way that you think that they should and people are going to take a lot longer to come around to the truth than you think they should – well, just hang in there and put up with all of the difficulties of working with other people in the body of Christ – Jesus certainly had to put up with a lot from his disciples while he was preparing them for ministering in his stead – and it was worth the wait

Forbearance – v. 2 – [in love – because we are to love the brethren] – forbearance means you just let something go without saying a word about it – you put up with faults and don’t react to straighten out every little detail that you think isn’t right – just put up with it and let it go because they are accountable to God and God will deal with them about it in time [even this shall be revealed unto you]

Endeavour to keep:

The unity of the Spirit – v.3 – we are in the same body – God is a divider in everything in the world – but when it comes to his body he wants unity – the devil doesn’t – the devil wants unity in everything in the world and he wants division in the body of Christ because he knows that if he can divide the body he can destroy the work – a house divided against itself cannot stand

The bond of peace – v.3 – as much as lieth within you live peaceably with all men – there is variance between us and the lost but there ought to be peace between us as brethren – Ps 133:1 – it is good and pleasant for brethren to dwell in unity – BUT we cannot live in unity [even in the body of Christ] when there is division over the following:

The body – v.4 – there is only one – and it is the literal resurrected body of the Lord Jesus Christ seated at the right hand of the throne into which we are baptized when we get saved – so it cannot be the Eucharist – and it cannot be ecumenical

The Spirit – v.4 – evil spirits work among the brethren (Acts 5) – gifts of the Spirit are misinterpreted  causing strife and division (1 Cor 1:22; 14:22) – an earthly, sensual, devilish spirit has crept in – doctrines of devils and seducing spirits have infiltrated– we are already beginning to see strong DELUSION

The hope of your calling – v.4 – this has to do with the resurrection, according to Paul, so we love his appearing [2 Tim 4:8] and look for the blessed hope [Tit 2:13] and we are saved by hope [Rom 8:24] – in religion, the hope is that those who faithfully practice it’s dogma and rituals will have life after death; they have no hope [Eph 2:12]; by contrast, we have eternal life as a present possession now

The Lord – v.5 – our Lord is plainly Jesus Christ – however some pastors lord it over God’s heritage [1 Pet 5:13] – the Roman Catholic Church has the pope – the Jehovah’s Witnesses have the Watchtower – Mormons have their prophet – Islam has their Imams

The Faith – v. 5 – as in faith in the words of God that saves you and grows you – not “faith” as in religious practice – “faith” is the big topic today but it is a word used to demonstrate the works of the flesh or to make money off of people

The baptism – v.5 – speaking of Spirit baptism [1 Cor 12:13] – this is not baptismal regeneration, for instance – many false religions profess that water baptism saves you

The One True God – v. 6 – not Allah for instance and not the God of Judaism that causes a Jew to reject Jesus Christ – our God is one in three persons [1 Jn 5:7; 5:20]

 

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