Walking Worthy: the Call

Around middle school and into high school, I became more aware and appreciative of our family history and inherited heirlooms. My Dad’s family was instrumental in early Southern California development, including growing orange and avocado groves. My grandpa was a newspaper editor, and additionally published works on California’s history. My Dad as a kid worked with him in the newspaper office. My grandma enjoyed writing, photos, crafts, and art. My grandparents on my Dad’s side, passed down family antiques, furniture made by my grandparents’ parents, and the stories that went with them. My wedding ring is comprised of my grandma’s original wedding ring and her mother’s ring.

My Mom’s family farmed in the Midwest. My grandma, great-grandma and great-aunt were known for their cooking and baking. I have many of their recipes. My Mom, who learned to sew as a young girl, taught me to sew when I turned eight. My grandpa taught me an enjoyment of sports particularly the Lakers (basketball), the San Diego Chargers (football), and the Padres (baseball).

My love for my family and the history on both sides instilled in me a desire to live up to my name so-to-speak. I want to be a good writer, cook, and baker. I enjoy sports, photography, and crafts. I value family history and heirlooms, trying to keep them in the family.

As Paul transitions to the second half of his letter, he begins with a plea for the Ephesian believers to daily live in a way that corresponds with their position as a child of God.

 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, ² with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, ³ eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.^[1]

Ephesians 4:1-6

In the first three chapters of Ephesians, Paul heaped on one doctrinal foundation atop another (indicatives). Now, he shifts to how we apply (imperatives) or live out who we already are in Christ. We live in response to the truths about who God is, what He has done, and who we are in Christ.

In the first half of the letter, Paul’s only imperative was the command to remember (vs 2:11). In the second half of the letter, God, through Paul’s pen, gives us thirty-nine commands for the practical living out of who we are as God’s children. To live rightly, we need right doctrine, and for this, we need God’s Word. John MacArthur makes a sobering statement regarding living rightly in response to right doctrine: “Too many Christians are glad to have the spiritual security, blessings, and promises of the gospel but have too little sense of responsibility in conforming to its standards and obeying its commands.”^[2]

Verses 1-6 center around unity within the church. We will examine these six verses over the course of three weeks borrowing from MacArthur’s categories for walking worthy: the Call, Characteristics, and the Cause.

“I therefore” – Therefore is our transition word pointing us back to the truths in Chapters 1-3. In light of all the truths in which Paul has saturated us with about who God is, what He has done, and who we are in Christ, we are to respond in the way Paul will outline.

“a prisoner for the Lord” – In Chapter 3, Paul used similar phrasing. Paul’s imprisonment was a reminder that following Christ, walking in a manner worthy of the calling, was costly. But Paul didn’t see himself as a prisoner of Rome but as a prisoner for the Lord. Paul’s view of his circumstances was grounded in his view of God. Paul knew he was bought with the price of Jesus’ blood. He was not his own (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Therefore, Paul’s thoughts, motives, words, actions, goals, standards, and plans were anchored in God’s thoughts, words, actions, goals, standards, and plans. Paul was living what he was about to preach.

“urge” – Paul does not yet issue a command, but rather he pleads and begs out of loving concern for the Ephesian believers to respond rightly, to live rightly. Paul has lovingly pleaded with others before (Acts 26:3; 2 Corinthians 2:8; Galatians 4:12; Romans 9:1-3). This is the heart of a shepherd caring for his flock.

“walk” – Walk is a metaphor Paul uses throughout his letter to the Ephesians (vs 4:17; 5:2, 8, 15) as well as in other letters as metaphor for how we daily conduct ourselves or our lifestyle. The rest of the letter will expand on what it practically means to walk in a manner worthy of the calling. It is a believer’s duty and privilege to walk in a manner worthy of their calling. We are to be (live) who we already are in Christ.

“worthy” – The Greek word axios had a root meaning of balancing scales. An extended meaning applied to one thing corresponding with another thing. In Paul’s use, worthy signifies a lifestyle corresponding to who we are as God’s children. When I think of walking worthy, I realize how unworthy I am and how unworthy I was to be called. It is a result of God’s grace alone (vs 2:5, 8) that I am called and called to walk worthy.

“of the calling to which you have been called” – The use of calling and called emphasizes the importance of the calling. The passive tense indicates that God is the one who sovereignly calls us. Calling is God’s sovereign, effectual call to salvation (Ephesians 1:18; Romans 11:29; 1 Corinthians 1:26; Philippians 3:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; 2 Timothy 1:9; 2 Peter 1:10).

On our own, we could never respond to God’s free gift of salvation. We wouldn’t even want to respond as prior to saving faith, we were sinners and enemies of God (Romans 5:8, 10). It is only because God has called us, chosen us (vs 1:4-5) that we respond to His grace. We must be called to and receive by faith God’s free gift of salvation before we can walk in a manner worthy of the calling. Paul continues to point us to God’s grace and mercy.

Reflection

1.    Our natural inclination is to make everything about ourselves and how we look to others. Paul was not concerned about himself. He was concerned about pleasing God not man, glorifying God not himself, and sharing the Gospel. Think of a current circumstance. How can you please God in that circumstance instead of fearing man? How can you glorify God in it instead of seeking glory for yourself? How can you proclaim the Gospel in that circumstance (maybe not directly in words, but in grace, mercy, forgiveness, sacrificial love, or serving)?

2.    Paul had such a loving concern for the Ephesian believers that he pleaded with them to walk in a manner that corresponded with who they were as God’s children. How do you respond to your pastor, elders, or someone else who is lovingly pleading with you to walk worthy? I know it can be scary, but is there someone you might need to lovingly plead with?

3.    What might it cost you to walk worthy of the calling?

4.    We will work through a detailed description of walking worthy, but after considering our verse today, is there an area of your life where you are not walking worthy of your calling? Take time to pray, asking God to forgive you and help you to walk worthy in this area. This is a good opportunity to ask a godly friend to walk with you as you by the Holy Spirit seek to change.

^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Eph 4:1–6.

^[2] John F. MacArthur Jr., Ephesians, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1986), 116.