We are to walk worthy of our calling
Paul provides instruction on the essentials of living a Christian life in the book of Ephesians. The need of "walking in a way befitting of the calling to which you have been called" is emphasized (Ephesians 4:1). The term "walk" refers to a particular manner of conduct. It is a reference to daily behavior, namely how Christians live their lives on a day-to-day basis. The meaning of the term "worthy" is "keeping the scales in check." The Christian who lives a life that is commensurate with his blessed status as a child of God and a co-heir with Jesus Christ is a believer who is said to be walking in a manner that is worthy of the calling with which he has been called. His spiritual perspective is consistent with the way he lives his life.
So, what are the qualities that define a Christian walk that is worth taking? In verses 2 and 3, Paul provided an explanation of the worthy walk by enumerating five traits. He instructed Christians to 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," and this is how they should live their lives. It is essential to grasp the reality that every Christian who has experienced a new birth already possesses each and every one of these traits. It's in the Christian genes, even if it's not always on display for everyone to see, but it's definitely there.
It is necessary for us to be willing to live the antithesis of each of the five traits that make up the honorable walk in order to fully comprehend these qualities and incorporate them into our day-to-day lives. In order for us to walk in humility, we can't live lives that are centered on ourselves. It is impossible for us to walk gently if we spend our lives in such a way that is harsh. To be able to walk with patience, we cannot lead lives in which we constantly push our own agendas. In order to walk in forbearing love, we must not live with unrealistic ideals of how life should be. In order to preserve the harmony that comes from the unity of the Spirit within the bond of peace, we cannot lead lives of indifference and inactivity. Therefore, let us act in a manner that is worthy of the calling that has been given to us... When we conduct our lives in a manner that is Christ-like, the church will be united, and God will be exalted.
In Philippians chapter one verse twenty-seven it reads, "No matter what occurs, behave yourselves in a manner befitting of the gospel of Christ...striving together as one for the faith of the gospel." We are obligated to conduct our lives in such a way that they shed a favorable light on the gospel. The act of being rescued by God should result in changes in us, and we are obligated to behave in a way that reflects those changes. It is expected of us that we will be unique, that we will be holy, and that we will be like Jesus Christ. The church faces the task that Paul poses, which is to live our lives in light of everything that has been given to us through Jesus Christ. His challenge to us is to live our lives in such a way that demonstrates our faith in God's Word and the salvific grace that he has provided for us.
The only thing that God expects of us is to live our lives in a manner that is congruent with who He is, what He has done for us, and what He has given us in the person of Jesus Christ. How does your life stack up against the challenge that Paul posed?
So, what are the qualities that define a Christian walk that is worth taking? In verses 2 and 3, Paul provided an explanation of the worthy walk by enumerating five traits. He instructed Christians to 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," and this is how they should live their lives. It is essential to grasp the reality that every Christian who has experienced a new birth already possesses each and every one of these traits. It's in the Christian genes, even if it's not always on display for everyone to see, but it's definitely there.
It is necessary for us to be willing to live the antithesis of each of the five traits that make up the honorable walk in order to fully comprehend these qualities and incorporate them into our day-to-day lives. In order for us to walk in humility, we can't live lives that are centered on ourselves. It is impossible for us to walk gently if we spend our lives in such a way that is harsh. To be able to walk with patience, we cannot lead lives in which we constantly push our own agendas. In order to walk in forbearing love, we must not live with unrealistic ideals of how life should be. In order to preserve the harmony that comes from the unity of the Spirit within the bond of peace, we cannot lead lives of indifference and inactivity. Therefore, let us act in a manner that is worthy of the calling that has been given to us... When we conduct our lives in a manner that is Christ-like, the church will be united, and God will be exalted.
In Philippians chapter one verse twenty-seven it reads, "No matter what occurs, behave yourselves in a manner befitting of the gospel of Christ...striving together as one for the faith of the gospel." We are obligated to conduct our lives in such a way that they shed a favorable light on the gospel. The act of being rescued by God should result in changes in us, and we are obligated to behave in a way that reflects those changes. It is expected of us that we will be unique, that we will be holy, and that we will be like Jesus Christ. The church faces the task that Paul poses, which is to live our lives in light of everything that has been given to us through Jesus Christ. His challenge to us is to live our lives in such a way that demonstrates our faith in God's Word and the salvific grace that he has provided for us.
The only thing that God expects of us is to live our lives in a manner that is congruent with who He is, what He has done for us, and what He has given us in the person of Jesus Christ. How does your life stack up against the challenge that Paul posed?
この記事へのコメント