Duty Of The Christian Life

A Christian is to walk in a manner different from the rest of the world. Vs. 1 “Walk worthy”

If you ever study the life of Alexander, the Great. The great conqueror, you will find he was a very strict man. He believed in firm discipline among his men.

While moving across the land, he kept hearing reports of a young man. An unruly soldier, he called him to his tent and asked him his name. His reply was, “You either change your name or change your conduct.

I wonder if The Lord ever feels this way. Change your name, Christian or Christ-like, or change your conduct.

I believe this is what Paul is telling the church at Ephesus, vs. 1 “Walk worthy of the calling wherein ye are called.” God has called us out of the world. Called us unto Himself. We are His people. We bear His name. Now Paul says, “There is a duty that comes with being called by Christ, and it is that you walk worthy of that name.”

Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12, over and over the word of God makes it very clear, that one of the duties put upon us, is “To walk worthy of that name.”

1. The reputation of Jesus is bound up in His followers.

a. John 14:9. Philip asked to see the Father and Jesus said, “He that hath seen me, hath seen the Father. I am the truth about the Father.”

b. Then Jesus said, “as the Father hath sent me even so send I you.”

2. Just as Jesus was the truth about the Father, you and I should be the truth about Jesus.

a. Just as Jesus said, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.”

b. So, should you say “He that hath seen me, has seen Jesus, that is what the Bible teaches.

3. I ask you “are you really the truth about Jesus.

a. The very moment I call myself a Christian I am saying I am a Christ person, Christ-like.

b. Jesus is to be living in me, expressing His character through my human person.

4. I am afraid many of us have been telling lies about Jesus.

a. Not with words, but by the way we live, our conduct.

5. Listen. The greatest enemies Jesus has today have been among His followers.

6. The thing that keeps the world from believing on Christ is not….

a. The gambling crowd.

b. The crowd at the bar.

7. But it is His people who are not willing to live worthily of that name.

8. You see the people I live around, work with, the people I associate with, they evaluate Jesus by me.

9. So, Paul says, “I beseech you, that you walk worthy of the Lord.”

a. The word “walk” indicates our manner of life.

b. Everything we do ought to show the transforming grace of God.

c. Everything I do should be regulated by the fact “I belong to Him”, and that should make a difference.

d. My conduct, my actions, my words, my thoughts are to be regulated by this fact. I belong to Him.

e. Far too many Christians say, “How will this affect me?” No, how will this affect Jesus. What will this do to His reputation and His name?

10. So, this is the duty of the Christian life, that you walk worthy of Christ’s name.

a. Now how am I to walk worthy of that name? Three Ways….

I. To Walk in Harmony

Unity

1. This is not the first thing mentioned in Chapter 4, but it is the central theme of the Chapter. Notice verse 3.

2. The number 1 goal of the Christian life is, that he live such a life that will keep, or preserve the harmony of believers. The unity of the Spirit.

3. There is nothing as important as the unity and harmony of God’s people.

a. John 17:20-21

b. Book of Acts notice how many times the words, in one accord, with one heart, with one soul, with one mind occur.

c. Every time the Spirit came down and filled those folks, thousands of souls were saved. It always says, “They were one; unity.”

4. Now there is a big difference between union and unity.

a. Two tom cats with their tails tied together are in union but not unity.

b. This is a description of a lot of church I know.

5. This is the greatest hurt among the church today.

6. The most ignorant sinner knows that the mark of a Christian is love or getting along.

7. Lack of unity keeps God from blessing.

8. Unity does not mean that we all think alike.

a. Paul here is speaking of unity of heart. Unity of spirit.