WALK THE WALK
Walk the Walk
Ephesians 4:1-6
Now we come to the second division of Ephesians.
The 1st division of Ephesians is doctrinal and teaches God’s plan for salvation. And that salvation if for both Jew and Gentile, this great mystery was revealed. Paul got the Ephesians, and us, excited about God’s blessings and our savior Jesus.
This 2nd division is practical and teaches how Jews and Gentiles, now together, are to walk worthy. How to put into practice the instructions found in God’s Word. How we are to live daily and show the world Jesus.
We are a new people; the Jews and Gentiles are now God’s children together. Who now, are God’s representatives or ambassadors to all the world.
“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;”
COLOSSIANS 1:10-11
Who Are We?
Ephesians 4:1
Paul is urging the Ephesians to walk worthy of who they are. Who are they? We read what he told them in chapters 1-3:
- They are the recipients of God’s love and grace, and peace which they don’t deserve because of their sin.
- They are abundantly blessed by God.
- Jews and Gentiles now all God’s children together in Christ.
- All made possible by Jesus paying the sin debt of mankind. If they have accepted Jesus they are in Christ.
- Walk like the children of God.
Walk-Not just the physical activity of walking but day to day activities. How we interact with others, how we speak, the deeds we do. Living a lifestyle that brings glory to God and reflects Jesus.
How To Walk
Ephesians 4:2
Paul is telling the Ephesians and us, here are the characteristics of someone walking the walk in their daily lives showing Jesus in everything they do.
They act like this:
- Lowliness- Or humility, or being humble. Not building myself up but seeing myself how God sees me. Not thinking I’m better than someone else.
- Meekness- Or gentleness. Same idea as humble. By no means weak but it means power under control. The fitting example of the ancient war horse, very powerful in battle but their strength was under control. We may have power, but we don’t go around showing it.
- Longsuffering- Or patience. Patience is something you see in a lot of mature Christians. They have learned to wait on the Lord’s timing.
- Forbearing- Enduring something or someone because of love. Being willing to put up with something or someone for the Lord. Everything doesn’t always have to be about our preference.
The bottom line is to live our lives loving others, caring about others, not being selfish. Reflecting Jesus.
“With all lowliness and meekness, gwith longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;”
EPHESIANS 4:2
Unity In Christ
Ephesians 4:3-6
Paul is explaining to the church at Ephesus that because they are united in Christ. They are one body made of many members living the life that he described that shows Jesus, powered by one Spirit (the Holy Spirit). We have a lot of ones in common here because we are united in Christ.
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- We are united in One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God, and we have the same hope in the Lord.
- If you are reading this and you are a member of a church, this applies to your church. You are one body serving and brought together in Christ.
In his commentary on Ephesians Max Anders gives this example of being united in Giant Sequoias:
Giant Sequoias roots are very shallow, so it seems when the wind blows it would knock them over. Not so, they only grow in groves. Their roots intertwine and become one. When the wind blows they hold each other up.
That’s a lesson for us. We go through this life as individuals but we also go through it and serve together as a body.
There are no Lone Ranger Christians in a church body, we serve together.
Now that we understand who we are and where we came from, we live the life as instructed that represents Jesus and we do that together.
Questions:
Are you part of a church body?
That means,
Are you saved?
Are you baptized?
Are you serving?
Are you living a life that shows Jesus?
“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
EPHESIANS 4:3