A Note from Our Pastor:

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,”

Ephesians 4:1

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

As you move into the fourth chapter of the book of Ephesians, it is important to remember the Apostle did not write this as a book with chapters but as a letter to the saints he was teaching and preaching to in Ephesus. As the third chapter concludes the church is instructed to give all glory unto God throughout all the ages. The Apostle then begins this fourth chapter with “therefore,” thus indicating the ideas presented continue on from the premise set forth previously.

Now in this verse, we are instructed to “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called”, but this raises the question — what is our calling?

We can think of this in many ways, but ultimately the calling we are summoned to is the life of Christ. The next verse is going to begin to explain how we walk worthy, and with each item we are going to see the characteristics modeled and demonstrated by Christ himself. In its truest form, the summoning or calling we receive as children of God, is to walk in the path and in the manner Christ lived. To formulate our lives after his and seek to follow him in truth and in Spirit.

It is also important here to note, we are inclined to live such a life because of the death of Christ. Certainly, it requires the Spirit working upon us and guiding us, but if our focus is appropriately on the things of God, the death of Christ should motivate, encourage, and even demand of us that we work to live a life following the model of the life of Christ. If our sense of duty to live this life comes from the things and people of this world we will falter and fail in our vocation. But if our encouragement is founded in the fact Christ died, was buried, and rose again for our sakes we will be encouraged to press forward each day.

Finally, it is important to remember our walk is never going to be one without mistakes, misgivings, and missteps. We are seeking to live a life after Christ, but we cannot and will not live the perfect life he lived. To walk worthy of the vocation we are called is never going to be an act of completeness but rather always a day-to-day choice. Just as the death of Christ motivates us; the forgiveness of Christ enables us to keep seeking him. Let us not be discouraged in pressing on toward Christ.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah