Walk Worthily
Read the Text: Ephesians 4
Memorize the Text:
Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us – to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
(Ephesians 3:20-21, CSB)
Consider the Text: Ephesians 4:1-3
The apostle Paul made a turn in his letter to the Ephesians in chapter 4. The first portion of Paul’s letter centered on the theological truth and the importance of redemption. This turn in chapter 4 adjusts the emphasis to how a believer must live life due to their redemption. The simple question for us is, " How does our walk with Jesus reflect Jesus?” More specifically, the beginning of Ephesians 4 is the analysis of our walk in light of Christ’s calling in our lives. Thus, we need to understand the importance of walking worthy with Christ.
THE DESIRABLE WALK
When we walk worthily with the Lord, our walk becomes controlled by Christ. A controlled walk means we surrender entirely to the Lord and hand our lives to him. Thus, the Lord becomes the control operator of our minds, hearts, and actions. The ability to allow the Lord to control every aspect of life comes as we walk in a manner that produces spiritual fruit.
Spiritual fruit appears as one walks the journeys of discipleship and evangelism. In discipleship, we become more like Christ and grow in our intimate relationship with him. Thus, we seek to engage the Lord through his Word, prayer, community, and obedience. Such activities force us to rely upon the Lord and our journey with him more profoundly. The fruit produced by evangelism is an external fruit because it occurs as people respond to the invitation to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Thus, when we walk in a manner worthy of Christ, we seek to give the Lord complete control of our life and desire to live in a manner that illuminates Christ and produces spiritual fruit,
THE DEFINING OF THE WALK
Our walk with Christ needs to define our relationship with the Lord through the lived-out characteristics. The apostle Paul states elsewhere in his letters that believers need to walk in humility and gentleness. These traits reveal our ability to see our true worth in the presence of a Holy God and our ability to engage with others properly. Gentleness occurs when we walk in self-control because we desire to respond to others with the love of Christ while also protecting the self from possible temptation. The gentleness defines a walk controlled by grace and mercy.
Our walk needs to be defined by patience and love. When we participate in a patient walk, we endure the power of Christ in us. This walk becomes defined by the Lord's strength and not the flesh's ways. This occurs only when genuine love is experienced from Christ and when we live out that love with the Lord and others. A walk defined by love means that we love like the Lord and conquer the idea of love depicted by the world. Thus, we walk in the desire to elevate others and live in harmony.
THE DRIVE FOR THE WALK
Our walk with Christ needs to be marked by eagerness. Eagerness provides a sense of urgency because we live in a constant crisis with eternal significance. Thus, we eagerly endeavor to grow in Christ and reach others for Christ. The eagerness promotes a desire for unity because the Body of Christ is a family. The unity occurs because we walk by a bond of peace that does not exist by treaties or agreements in this world but comes only in Christ. Thus, the ultimate drive for a walk of worthiness comes because of our relationship with Christ and our desire to live for him. How is your walk with the Lord? Are you walking in a worthy manner that expands the kingdom and encourages your spiritual development?
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
