As we concluded
the third chapter of the book of Ephesians, we discovered the final
thoughts Paul the apostle had concerning what “God” has done for
us. Paul attributed toward God “glory in the church by Christ
Jesus throughout all ages, world without end” because of His
wonderful benefits and grace toward mankind. In chapter four and
verse one of his letter to the Ephesian church members, Paul begins
the final three chapters which concern the “response” we are to
have toward all God has done for us, and it begins with walking
“worthy of” our “vocation wherewith” we “are
called”. We read:
I
therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you
walk
worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called,
The
verse begins, “I therefore, the
prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy...” Paul
began with the words, “I therefore”
which means “Paul, because of, then, consequently and these things
begin so”, “the prisoner”
or “one bound, in bonds and captive” “of
the Lord”
which means “he to whom a person or thing belongs about which he
has power of deciding and master”, “beseech
you” which
is the Greek word “parakaleĊ”
and
means “call
to one's side, call for, summon, address and speak to you Ephesians”
“that you walk”
which means “make your way, progress, make due use of
opportunities, regulate yourselves, conduct yourselves and pass your
life” “worthy”
or “suitably, appropriately, after a Godly sort and worthily”.
Because Jesus Christ made provision for the Ephesians to be in
fellowship with God, they were to live their lives in a “Godly”
manner.
The
verse goes on to say, “...of the vocation wherewith you
are called,” Paul continued,
“of the vocation”
which means “calling or invitation” “wherewith”
or “with what, which or that” “you are called”
which means “so named, called
aloud, uttered in a loud voice and invited”. Since the Ephesians
were “invited” to be among those who “trust in, rely upon and
cling to” Jesus Christ, they were to align themselves and live
according to “calling”
that was extended to them.
When
we think through these words of Paul, we should be challenged in like
manner as were the Ephesian church members. God Almighty through
Jesus Christ has given us a provision to be in fellowship and
communion with Him, and we should “live” our lives in a manner
that is “pleasing” to Him. We are not our own, but have been
bought with a price, and that price was Jesus' blood sacrificed upon
the cross. He died for our sins and was raised from the dead, and
when we believe in His “finished” and “completed” work, we
have “communion” with Him. The least we can do is to respond to
His great love and grace by living in a manner that aligns with Him.
May God give us grace and strength by the Holy Spirit and His Son
Jesus to “walk worthy”
of His “calling”.
Next
time Paul declares how
to walk worthy of our “vocation wherewith” we
“are called”, so read ahead,
and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
No comments:
Post a Comment