Famed outlaw, John Dillinger escaped from a local jail in Crown Point, Indiana, using a fake gun he carved out of wood and blackened with shoe polish. He then stole the sheriff's brand new Ford to escape. Frank Lee Morris, as well as John and Clarence Anglin, escaped from "the Rock" by fabricating human heads from toilet paper, hair, and soap. They left the fake heads in their beds to fool prison officers making night-time inspections. They were never heard from again. And Frank Abagnale escaped from a Federal Detention Center in Atlanta by convincing the prison guards that he was an undercover prison inspector posing as an inmate. Once he was released from prison using his fake alibi, the guards never saw him again. All five of these men escaped prison.
The Apostle Paul knew all about prison. Before meeting Jesus Christ, he even imprisoned followers of Christianity (Acts 8:3). And rather than escape prison, the author of the New Testament book of Ephesians suffered in prison. Paul had been in prison more times than he would like to count (2 Corinthians 6:5). Yet, God's very plan imprisoned Paul, for he spoke of not being a prisoner of Rome but of Jesus Christ Himself (Ephesians 3:1). And we greatly profit because God put Paul behind prison bars. From the squalor of a dimly lit prison cell, Paul tells us how to live as believers.
When someone writes you from prison, you read it because it is urgent. Writing from prison means that what he writes is dangerous. It is not a nice, middle-class way to solve your problems and be comfortable.
Today in our study of the New Testament book of Ephesians, we will examine just one verse: "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…" (Ephesians 4:1).
How do I navigate this turbulent world successfully? I want you to pay close attention to four words in just this one verse. Four words in this one verse can make a big difference in your life. There is something very powerful about a testimony from prison where your life is at stake.
1. Pay Attention to the Order
Focus on a word that you dare not overlook: "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…" (Ephesians 4:1).
1.1 Therefore
I want to focus on the little word "therefore" in verse one for a minute. This little word that our eyes are apt to run over with little thought shows us an order to our lives. The word "therefore" often works like a door hinge where Paul's letters turn the corner. The word signals progression inside the book of Ephesians, like the moving water in a flowing river. He is moving from one point to the next.
God wants you to know your position before your practice. Reflect back on what you've just heard. Whenever you see the word "therefore," you need to go back and find out what it is, therefore! "Therefore" is a hinge and a connector. The word "therefore" points back to all Ephesians, chapters 1-3. The end of Ephesians chapter 3 felt as if we were on the very tippy-top of a mountain, didn't it?
Remember, the mountaintop experience of Paul's prayer: "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen" (Ephesians 3:20-21). The end of Ephesians chapter 3 felt as if we were on the mountaintop where now it feels we have retreated into the foothills. We all want to stay on the mountaintop, but we have to come back to the valley. It's in the foothills that we are told: "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…" (Ephesians 4:1).
1.2 The Sequence
Again, there is a progression in Paul's letters. And the little word "therefore" signals us to the progression. Paul composed thirteen letters inside your New Testament. We see a pattern when we read his letters. You see, he does the same thing in both 1 Thessalonians 4:1 and Romans 12:1. Paul will usually have a section on doctrine followed by a section of practical advice.
Ephesians is roughly divided into two sections: the first three chapters are filled with doctrine. And the last three chapters are filled with practical advice. Again, "Therefore" is the hinge to connect the two halves. And doctrine first and then practical advice follows.
Training Camp first and then the season. It's practice first and then the recital. Study first, and then you take the final.
Again, notice the sequence. Know your position in Christ before you can put anything into practice. The truck comes first and then the trailer. Trailers don't pull trucks. Doctrine first and then practical advice.
God is intentional in teaching us His Word first so we can put it to work in our lives. And in the first three chapters, we've been talking about the riches that we have in Christ and what it means to be seated in the heavenlies with the Lord Jesus Christ. That is our position as believers. It's position first and then our practice.
The first half of Ephesians is our position and the second half is our practice.
Martin Luther and John Wesley were both interesting people in that they were ordained ministers for a number of years before they were converted, and they did all kinds of good deeds, and they witnessed in the prisons, and they read their Bibles, and they prayed on their knees, and they made their confession, and they gave to the poor, and they preached on the street corners, and yet they did not get wiser and deeper and happier and better. There was no internal transformation. There was no real growth because they weren't really born again. It was years later, when they attempted to live out the Christian life, that they were converted. You need to discover your position before you put this into practice.
1.3 My Position
The Bible says you are in Christ by God's grace – this is your position (Ephesians 2:8-9). The Bible says as believers, you are already seated in heavenly places and that you are destined to experience the resurrection one day. All this is because of the cross of Jesus Christ and your faith in Him. This is your position.
Again, notice the sequence. Doctrine is going to turn to doing. Creed is turned into conduct. Precept turns into practice. Sitting turns to walking. You need to know your position in Christ before you put anything into practice for Christ. God has an order. You may run to the Bible to be told how to live, but you first need to pay attention to your position.
Sequence means everything, doesn't it? You don't pull your clothes off after you're inside the shower. You don't study after the test. And you don't learn your multiplication tables after you've taken Calculus.
1. Pay Attention to the Order
2. Pay Attention to the Balance
First, you must pay attention to the progression from doctrine to doing. Second, pay attention to the balance of creed and conduct. "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…" (Ephesians 4:1).
2.1 Meaning of Worthy
The word "worthy" originally meant to counterbalance the scales. The word "worthy" means there is to be an equal weight on both sides of the scales. There should be no tilting to one side or the other. The scales are balanced with equal weight on both sides. God wants you to put equal weight on your position and your practice.
Now that you know your position in Christ brings your practice of Christian living up to balance the scales. Now that you can begin to appreciate what God has done for you live a life to honor your calling. Now that you know you are greatly loved by God and His grace has saved you from your sins bring your practice up to match your position. Now that you understand you are forgiven by the Father, you should make it a practice to forgive others (Ephesians 4:2). Now that you grasp that you are rooted and grounded in God's great love, love others (Ephesians 4:2).
To live in a manner worthy of God's calling does not mean that we should try to deserve our place in God's favor. It means that we should recognize how much our place in God's favor deserves from us.
2.2 City of Dallas Corruption
A Dallas city councilman and acting mayor for a period of time were sentenced in 2019 for taking $450,000 in bribes and kickbacks. So first it's sequence and Order, and then it's balance. The very same year, a second former Dallas City Council member pleaded guilty to accepting a bribe for moving an affordable housing project through the council. Nor were these the only two who were found to be corrupt in the Dallas city government's office over the past decade. Everyone in Dallas deserves to have better. The value of the city council should have prevented him from desecrating his office.
2.3 Stolen Valor Act
Rick Duncan claimed to be decorated with a Purple Heart and a Silver Star. He claimed to be in the Pentagon on 9/11. He claimed to be both a captain in the US Marine Corp and wounded in battle while doing three tours in Iraq. He claimed to go to the Naval Academy in Annapolis. But Duncan never won a medal; indeed, he never served in the military. And his name isn't even Rick Duncan. Arrested in El Paso, TX, he was investigated by the FBI. He was arrested for violating the Stolen Valor Act. This law makes it illegal for you to falsely claim you are a decorated veteran. His tall tales read like a "Forrest Gump" story but not nearly as endearing. Every veteran deserves better. The value of the Purple Heart should have prevented him from desecrating it. The position is worthy of higher character.
Here the words of the Apostle Paul, who is pleading with you to walk worthy of your Christian calling.
1. Pay Attention to the Order
2. Pay Attention to the Balance
3. Pay Attention to Your Calling
This brings us to the third word in verse 1 that deserves our attention: "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…" (Ephesians 4:1).
Because your calling is great, live a life worthy of your great calling. Our Christian calling is a much greater privilege than being a part of the Dallas City government. Our Christian calling is a much greater privilege than being decorated with a Purple Heart.
3.1 Your Calling
Bring honor to your calling. Bring honor to the Lord Jesus Christ. Earlier, Paul said, "having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints…" (Ephesians 1:18).
Know your calling. Feel the full worth of God's grace in your life! Feel the immense privilege of being seated in the heavenlies! See the cross in all of its glory and Christ's actions for securing your eternal salvation! The greatness of your calling should constrain you to lead a life worthy of His call.
"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…" (Ephesians 4:1).
The privilege and purpose of our Christian calling is greater than the privilege and purpose of a Purple Heart. The privilege and purpose of our Christian calling is greater than the privilege and purpose of governmental office. A city council position lasts a few years, but your calling lasts an eternity! A Purple Heart lasts a few decades, but your calling lasts an eternity!
The calling of a soldier is important, but their calling comes from the government. Your calling comes from God. The calling of a local city official is important, but their calling comes from the people. Your Christian calling comes from God.
3.2 Turn Around Now
Yes, every Christian will sin at one time or another. But a Christian will repent of his sins. Let us never grow weary of the change Jesus makes in a life: "…where sin increased, grace multiplied all the more" (Romans 5:20b).
Many of you who are listening to me have smoked your first marijuana joint this past week. You don't have to become addicted! That's enough! Friend, repent in the name of Jesus right now! Some of you have slept with an unmarried man or woman for the first time this week – that's enough! Turn around right now! Come back home to your Father now.
One of you has gotten drunk for the first time this weekend. That's enough! Turn around now. God has sent me to tell you, "Turn around right now."
Turn around right now. Don't desecrate the holy name of Jesus and the holy name of Christian for one night's fun.
3.3 Balance Your Calling
Take great pains to see that the scales of your life are perfectly balanced. Balance your position with your practice. Balance your creed with your conduct. The Bible is saying, "Don't be lopsided. Don't be imbalanced." The Bible is saying God has done so much for you.
God has so much grace for your past and for your present. Now, live out your life consistent with God's tremendous actions. Honor the Lord's investment in your life.
1. Pay Attention to the Order
2. Pay Attention to Your Balance
3. Pay Attention to Your Calling
4. Pay Attention to Your Walk
Here's the fourth and last word to focus on: "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…" (Ephesians 4:1).
When the Bible talks about your "walk," it's directing you to look carefully at your lifestyle. The apostle John agrees with Paul as he nearly says the very same thing: "whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked" (1 John 2:6).
If you are following the light of Jesus Christ, your life should look like someone who follows the darkness of this fallen world. Live attractively, my dear Christian friend.
4.1 Lunch with an Atheist
An atheist sat across from me at a table in recent weeks. He could not embrace the miracles of the Bible, the supernatural aspects of the Bible. Then he turned to a friend and a neighbor who attends this church. He then pointed to his believing friend and said something to the effect, "I don't have the emotional stability that he has, and I want it." This Christian man was living attractively for Christ. He watched this father raise children in a godly manner. He watched this husband care for his ailing wife for more than a decade. Never depreciate the sweet-smelling aroma of an attractive disciple of Jesus Christ. Live attractively, my dear Christian friend.
4.2 Our Walk
Paul discusses "our walk" more than five times in the little book of Ephesians
"for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8).
The Bible is calling on us to live attractively. Don't try to earn God's favor. Don't try to "deserve" God's blessings. Instead, recognize just how much we have blessed in Christ. Recognize how much God has invested in you, my believing friend. Live a life that is consistent with the tremendous resources God has placed in you! Don't desecrate the blood of Jesus Christ with hypocrisy.
"Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds" (Ephesians 4:17).
Jesus says to His followers, "You are the light of the world." Jesus is beautiful as the light of the world. Therefore, some of His beauty should rub off on His followers. Is there anything beautiful about you, Christian friends? Is there anything remarkable about you?
When people watch you take criticism, when people watch how you treat people under you, when people watch you just deal with others, when people watch you handle trouble, are they amazed? Are they surprised? Is there anything beautiful about you?
Paul is asking that you watch how you walk, how you live in this world as a believer in Christ. See him in chains as he pleads with you to live beautifully and attractively for the gospel of Jesus Christ. My dear Christian friend, don't be brought up on fraud charges before the heavenly court!
I plead with you! Paul pleads with you in chains! Don't be brought up on fraud charges for stolen valor before Almighty God! Live a life worthy of your calling in Christ.
