The Worthy Walk

The Worthy Walk Ephesians 4:1-3NAS

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

This chapter begins with the word- Therefore. This word is a transition word from doctrine to duty, principle to practice, position to behavior. This is typical of Paul’s writings- (Romans 12:1, Gal.5:1 just to name a few). Paul reminds his readers once more that he’s a prisoner of the Lord. By expressing this, he sets the spiritual tone- that following Jesus Christ isn’t always easy, and it can be very costly.

I would like to share with you 3 Principles of Walking in Christ:

Walk worthy or appropriately.

Ephesians 4:1KJ I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.

This speaks of one’s conduct and calling. When you are saved and sealed by the HolySpirit of promise, you are commanded to walk worthy.

Walking is simply taking one step, then another, then another…

In her biography of Marie Antoinette, Erickson tells about the queen’s attempts to disguise herself and attend parties, dances, and balls incognito, but her walk gave her away. “When she walked, she strode like a man. Her swift, purposeful gait was her trademark. It was said that she could never successfully disguise her identity at masked balls, for no matter how she dressed, she still walked like an Empress.”

Her walk gave her away; it defined her. How about your walk?

The word for "worthy" is the word axios in Greek. It refers to the intrinsic value of something.

Ephesians 4:1TM In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel.

Matthew Henry: “Nothing is pressed more earnestly in the Scriptures, than to walk as becomes those called to Christ’s kingdom and glory.”

The second principle of Walking in Christ:

Walk with humility, gentleness, and patience, showing tolerance for one another in love.

“Saying ‘one loves,’ is one thing, but walking in the fruit of love is another.”

I READ ABOUT A YOUNG MAN who was determined to win the affection of a lady who refused to even talk to him anymore. He decided that the way to her heart was through the mail, so he began writing her love letters. He wrote a love letter every day to this lady. Six, seven times a week she got a love letter from him. When she didn’t respond, he increased his output to three notes every twenty-four hours. In all, he wrote her more than seven hundred letters. Guess what? She wound up marrying the postman.

This man penned his love through letter, but never showed it; however, the postman did! Lol.

Paul is saying in verse 2, Show your love- Christ love daily!

Humility, gentleness, and patience these words fame a continuous and unconditional lifestyle of love.

Proverbs 3:34NKJ Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.

Matthew 5:3NLT “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Philippians 2:7-8NLT Describes the nobel grace of Christ. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

This describes a walk that is steady and trust worthy.

The 3rd and final Principle of Walking in Christ:

3. Walk in the unity of the spirit.

* This is the spiritual cord that surrounds and binds God’s people together.

Alexander the Great, one of the greatest military generals who ever lived, conquered almost the entire known world with his vast army. One night during a campaign, he couldn’t sleep and left his tent to walk around the campgrounds.

As he was walking he came across a soldier asleep on guard duty - serious offense. The penalty for falling asleep on guard duty was, in some cases, instant death; the commanding officer sometimes poured kerosene on the sleeping soldier and lit it.

The soldier began to wake up as Alexander the Great approached him. Recognizing who was standing in front of him, the young man fear for his life.

“Do you know what the penalty is for falling asleep on guard duty?” Alexander the Great asked the soldier. “Yes, sir,” the soldier responded in a quivering voice.“Soldier, what’s your name?” demanded the general.