Topic: Walk Worthy (Part 2)
Alexander the Great was one of the greatest military generals who ever lived. One night when he couldn’t sleep, he got up and wandered around the encampment. He came upon a soldier who was supposed to be standing guard, but he was asleep. Alexander roused the young man. The young man immediately recognized Alexander and began to tremble. The punishment for falling asleep could be death. Alexander asked him what his name was. Alexander, he replied. Three times he asked and three times the boy responded. Finally, Alexander the Great looked the young man in the eyes and said, “Soldier, either change your name or change your conduct!”
Ephesians 4:1 “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.”
Last week I brought to your attention the two key words that are important in applying Ephesians chapters 4 and 5 which were “prisoner” and “walk.” Today, I want to share with you two more words from verse one that are also important to life application of Ephesians 4 and 5.
1. Worthy. The meaning of the word being used is to be “consistent with.” “To be consistent with,” would fit in the context of a general’s expectations of his troops as they enter into battle, that their deployment and tactics would be consistent with their years of training and the oath they had taken. So, Paul is appealing to his readers as they consider all the things he has been telling them—that they now are in Christ, that they endeavor to live daily in a way that is consistent with the salvation they had received by faith in Christ Jesus.
2. Calling, this word “calling” is a word used for an invitation to a banquet. It is a calling to live out everything that he has taught in chapters 1 through 3–the blessings and benefits of our salvation. We are the called-out ones, seated with Christ and our calling and conduct should be in balance. Our calling from God is to deny the exercise of our own strength, wisdom and importance, so that through our weakness He can show Himself to be strong. Paul goes on to outline the calling to walk in unity (4:1-6), walk in purity (4:17-5:17), walk in harmony (5:18-6:9) and walk in victory (6:10-6:24).
When Paul wants to introduce the practical side of his teaching, he begins with behaviors that lead to unity.
Now, walk in a manner worthy, consistent with, matching, what God has reckoned you to be, by the power He has anointed you with to do it. Paul is now telling us to do something—to walk!
See you Sunday,
Dr. Scott Kallem