The Believer’s Walk

The Believer’s Walk

Ephesians 4: 1-6

As we come to the fourth chapter of Ephesians, it is evident that Paul has shifted his focus and is now ready to offer beneficial application for the reader. The opening chapters dealt heavily with theological truth and biblical doctrine. The reader has been reminded of the believer’s position in Christ, and now, Paul seeks to reveal the impact such a position should have in the believer’s life. Like any good pastor or teacher, Paul makes application to the truth he has already conveyed.

The remaining discourse within Ephesians will provide insight to relevant questions believers have in regard to Christian living. How are we to live our daily lives? What is the impact of a relationship with Christ in the life of a believer? How does the Lord, working through the Holy Spirit, provide wisdom and guidance for the daily struggles believers’ face? How do believers overcome the adversities of life and attacks of the enemy? In essence, Paul will focus on the day-to-day walk of the believer in the remaining chapters.

As we discuss the elements of daily life among believers revealed in the text, I want to consider: The Believer’s Walk.

I. The Instruction for our Walk (1-3) – Here, Paul provides basic instruction for the believer’s daily walk with the Lord among the world. Consider:

A. The Challenge (1) – I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called. Paul challenged the believer to walk worthy of the Lord. He reminds them of his bonds, being a prisoner for the cause of Christ. He was committed to serving the Lord at any cost, even if that meant being imprisoned for the gospel. As a believer in Christ, the reader is expected to remain committed as well, walking in a way that honored the Lord and testified of the gospel.

While there is certainly a physical application for Paul being a prisoner of the Lord, I am convinced he speaking a greater, spiritual application. In fact, he had been a prisoner of the Lord for years. He surrendered his life to the Lord on the Damascus Road, becoming a bond-slave of Christ from that moment forward.

Such is the application for the believer. We are to realize our position in Christ, fully submitted to His sovereign leadership, while walking worthy of the vocation wherein we have been called. This has a universal application. The challenge to walk worthy of one’s calling is not reserved for those who have surrendered to ministry. This is an applicable calling for every believer – the vocation wherein we have been called speaks of one’s salvation. We are to walk worthy of the grace of God we have experienced in salvation.

B. The Characteristics (2) – With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love. If one is to walk worthy of their calling, these characteristics will be prevalent in their life and evident for others to see. These characteristics are fruits of the Spirit as discussed in Galatians 5:22-23. Paul reveals these characteristics are built upon lowliness – humility and lowliness of mind. It refers to the quality of esteeming ourselves as small but at the same time recognizing the power and ability of God.

The next characteristic is meekness or gentleness. This refers to the humble and gentle attitude which expresses itself in a patient submissiveness to offense, free from malice and desire for revenge. This is accompanied with longsuffering – patience, being long-tempered, longsuffering. Like meekness, longsuffering endures patiently, even when wronged, not seeking retribution.

Finally, Paul urged the believer to forbear one another in love. Forbearing has the idea of bearing up under a load. This speaks of continuing to love others even when wronged or falsely accused. It does not abandon faith or condone sin, but continues to love in spite of the actions or motives of others.

C. The Conformity (3) – Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. In reality, one could consider this as the final characteristic, but it also reveals the conformity achieved through ensuring these characteristics are present in one’s life. Endeavoring has the idea of being diligent to achieve, making every to obtain. Paul urged believers to strive for unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. “Paul is not speaking of organizational unity, such as that promoted in many denominations and in the ecumenical movement. He is speaking of the inner and universal unity of the Spirit by which every true believer is bound to every other true believer.”

We are all aware of the need for unity of the Spirit, serving and worshiping together in a bond of peace. The absence of peace is conflict and chaos. Such an environment is never fruitful. In fact, where conflict abounds, the cause of Christ suffers. May we all strive to maintain a spirit of unity and peace among the congregation.