As Christians, we were all called the same way, that is, by the gospel of Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). What a blessing it is to be a part of the chosen people of God. The question I have for you tonight is “Are you walking worthy of your call?” Paul exhorts us to do so.
Ephesians 4:1 (ESV)
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
The urgency in Paul’s exhortation shows us how important it is to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. The word urge means to implore or beg. Paul is pleading with us to walk in a way that is pleasing to God. In 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Paul emphasizes that we were saved by the sanctification of the Spirit. When we obeyed the gospel of Christ, as revealed to us by the Spirit, we were set apart from the world. Now we need to live like it.
While our initial sanctification is accomplished by the Spirit, through the saving power of the gospel, it is our responsibility to continue to live a sanctified life. Paul was speaking of this sanctification when he wrote, “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). To walk worthy of our calling is to be holy, walking apart from the world.
This walk of worthiness involves active participation in good works.
Colossians 1:10 (KJV)
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Walking worthily involves pleasing the Lord by the lives that we live. Paul tells us that this involves two things. First, we must be “bearing fruit in every good work.” What is a good work? It is the work that God tells us to do through His Word.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
The scriptures equip us for every good work. We must be careful that we do not try to please God by doing work that man thinks is pleasing to Him but does not have any scriptural support. When we do the work that God tells us to do, we will bear the fruit that He wants us to bear, and we will be walking in a worthy manner. Remember, if we do not bear good fruit, Jesus said we are not good for anything (spiritually speaking) except to be cast into the fire (John 15:4-6).
The second way Paul said we are to please the Lord is by increasing in the knowledge of God. Doing God’s will is a part of pleasing Him. Only those who do the will of God will make it to heaven (Matthew 7:21). However, we cannot do God’s will if we do not know what it is. Conversely, the more knowledge we have of God and His Word, the more we can do for Him.
How are you walking? Are you walking in a way that is pleasing to God by bearing good fruit? Are you living a sanctified life? This is the only path that leads to the presence of God. Let us all do our best to walk worthy of our call.
As you wind down for the night, think about these things.