I’ll just say right off the bat I’m hardly able to crawl never mind walk in a manner worthy of being God’s child. We – I’m using this pronoun to include others because I have a feeling I’m not the only one who can start out with good intentions that fail – are absolutely in a battle of the flesh! Don’t you feel it?! In our mind we generate expectations of others, of situations, and of appropriate responses to circumstances. Seldom are the pictures that we’ve conjured up, conceived as reality. Disappointment then fills our thoughts. Then what? How do we respond?
Or, perhaps the struggle is not disappointment. Perhaps the nemesis we fight is worldly thinking which leads us to being okay with compromise.
There’s a split second in which we either think right or we don’t think at all, and we speak not so righteously or don’t speak at all. Or, we choose to fight or to succumb. Depending on that split second decision, we are led into peace or turmoil either within ourselves or with others. Maybe you’ve been there and can relate or maybe you don’t think you’ve been there, which is doubtful because of our sin nature. The point is, it’s easy to memorize Ephesians 4:1 and agree with it whole heartedly, but doing it is really difficult.
If you are unable to relate to these thoughts then continue doing what you’re doing and praise God, for it is only in Him that we can walk in a manner befitting of the King’s child.
If you, like myself, can relate to similarities in your life where you fall short, then let’s be encouraged and challenged together by God’s word. I am personally convicted to more promptly recognize that split second of time where my choice determines to follow a path that does not honor God. By His grace, I pray that sin is uprooted in my life. Do you ever just want to peel off your perishable body to exchange it for one clothed in holiness? It would be so cool if we could just find that secret zipper that would rid us of sin that wants to linger. What a beautiful day we have to look forward to, when all sin is vanished!
So I thought I’d begin a study on Ephesians 4. I think perhaps I have done one in the past but it is amazing how you can go to scripture again and again and continue to learn new truths. I’m tempted to read previous notes I have, but I’m truly desiring to go where God leads me in this. He knows my heart and my needs so much better than I do. God is faithful to highlight those exact things that demand a closer look once again.
When I am especially tired or feel as if there is more to get done than the hours in my day allot – I am prone to get irritated. That is not likely a word we want associated with ourselves. It means to be annoyed, to be bothered, to be peeved, and even to get riled up in anger. We all know anger is sin and we don’t like using such a strong adjective when it is connected to ourselves. But anger happens and consequently needs to be addressed.
Consider. When we’re not quite up to par in our health, or have a headache or some other annoying malady presents itself, we seem to be more vulnerable to sin. When trying to encouraging someone with the Truth seems to have no benefit, or reaching out to someone in love is rejected, we are prone to discouragement. What happens to the fruits of the Spirit in our lives in these times? Most of us could list them by heart: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22). We don’t lose them – we just don’t use them! I’m sharing my personal thinking in the hopes that you realize you’re not alone in this struggle. I absolutely don’t want to promote a ‘misery loves company’ concept, but it is good to know that we are all trying to move forward in spite of our daily weakness and disappointment, continuing to honor God – to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. Walk on my friend, together we can help each other over the potholes of sin. My plan is to begin with Ephesians 4:1, then periodically between other studies I’m writing, we’ll slowly move through the chapter.
Eph 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
The first thing that glaringly stands out to me in the above verse is how the author describes himself -- the prisoner of the Lord. Wow, this phrase merits a close look. The word prisoner comes from a Greek word desmios. The meaning is to be a captive (as bound), in bonds, a prisoner. This specific word is only used in the New Testament. It is used in the book of Matthew, referring to Barabbas. The same word is used in Acts 16 in the account of Paul and Silas being imprisoned. Throughout later chapters in Acts, the word prisoner is associated with Paul. It is not surprising then that Paul, the author of Ephesians, would use this word to describe himself. He very well knew what it was like to be imprisoned, unfairly, without cause. But being imprisoned is something that happens to you, typically it is not by choice. However, in Eph 4:1, it is by choice that Paul calls himself a prisoner. In Eph 3:1, Paul again chooses to call himself “the prisoner of Jesus Christ”. So, the concept of choice has also entered into our thoughts on Eph 4:1.
Consider. What are the characteristics of a prisoner? They are not free. They are under the control of someone or something else. They are captive. A prisoner bows to authority, they follow someone else’s rules.
This idea almost immediately seems like an oxymoron. We hear often the words, ‘we are free in Christ’. We are free in Christ – we are free to live under His power instead of sin’s clenching hold. It’s one or the other – live for Christ or live for sin. Our author happens to be physically imprisoned and in that sense is not free to roam around and speak of the truths of the Gospel. However, he is continuing to encourage others in the faith by his writing and he is proclaiming Truth to those in close proximity to himself, by words. He trusts that God has allowed his physical imprisonment, and considers himself a prisoner of God rather than any earthly establishment. Isn’t that cool?! How is it possible for someone who has been thrown into prison – tired, uncomfortable, physically mistreated, definitely misunderstood – still have the mindset of serving others. We don’t have recorded for us complaining or an attitude of disgruntlement yet you know Paul is suffering. But that was not what was truly important. Was Paul superhuman? No, but He chose to see himself as a prisoner of the Lord. In all things, Paul, our example, was focused on God. He was working for Him, seeing himself as a captive for Christ, under His authority rather than man’s. The Lord God was his Supreme Authority, his Master.
What was Paul’s focus as a prisoner? Was it that things didn’t go the way he planned? Or that his expectations weren’t met? Or that his pleasures were not filled? In our text, we read that he was concerned about the encouragement of others, that they not lose heart, and that they continue to pursue righteousness, even though they saw ill-treatment and unfair accusation of Paul. Read the text again.
Eph 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
It’s just one tiny letter of the alphabet, “I”. But it is so important. I need to walk worthy. I don’t need to prove to others what they have or haven’t done. I need to walk worthy, choosing to forgo the pull and pleasures of sin. I need to walk worthy, proving by my thoughts, words, and actions that I am God’s child, saved by His grace. My concentration needs to be on the responsibility I have been charged to, in living a life pleasing and honoring to my Lord.
God’s word to us in Ephesians 4:1 entreats us to walk worthy. Entreat means to call us near, to invite, or to invoke by imploring. It is a strong word and is translated as beseech in the KJV. It seems, as I look at the definition, it can also be a word of encouragement used to comfort, such as a reminder of what we have in Christ. In other words, we can walk in a manner worthy of our relationship with Him, it is entirely possible! This same word is used to bring a message of comfort in Matthew 2:18 and 5:4. It is used in the sense of pleading throughout the New Testament and also of praying to God. In the book of Acts, chapters 8 and 9, the word parakaleo, translated beseech in Eph 4:1, is used in connection with desiring someone to do something. In Acts 28:20, Paul uses this word when he says “I called for you”. Read Romans 12:1 below.
Ro 12:1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, [which is] your spiritual service of worship.
The strong sense of this word can’t be missed! We are implored, beseeched, desired and urged to follow God’s truths, to walk worthy. We are not commanded to live a life of holiness and then left to ourselves to figure it out. We have what is necessary to please God and honor His word, through Christ. We are definitely able to walk in a manner worthy of our calling in Jesus. God desires us to be comforted and encouraged to do so. This isn’t a suggestion, it is an exhortation to press on and live worthy! I recently had a conversation with someone who claims to be a believer. In that conversation, they readily recognized that choices they were making were sin. But, also quickly offered the suggestion that their sin was a struggle and everyone struggles. That is true, but then to just choose to succumb to our weaknesses is to devalue God’s power! It’s like saying, ‘Yeah, I struggle with sin but oh well that’s just the way it is’. This is a mockery of who God is and what He has done for us! To choose to just struggle with sin on a continuing basis, lacks an understanding of who we are and what we have in Christ! You really have to wonder if there is a clear understanding of what Jesus did on the cross for us. Are you desiring the blessings of eternal life but not bowing to the authority of the almighty God?
Consider. Would you admit to having an alcohol abuse problem, sorrow over your struggle, and then walk into a bar and sit at the counter? Of course not! Hopefully, we would all recognize that choice as foolish! God is all-powerful and through Jesus, has conquered the power of sin’s control. We have a choice. Do we willingly place ourselves as a prisoner of God – under His authority – at all times, in all circumstances? Or, do we pick and choose to follow when it is easy or convenient or meets our own desires? Leaving the door open to wander in and out of the pleasures of sin, allowing anger or actions that dishonor God, does not coincide with being His child, redeemed by the blood of Christ Jesus.
God knows we are weak. This should come as no surprise to us – if you are His child you have recognized your need. You will be able to say with Paul that you are desiring to be under the control of the Lord. The desire to walk worthy will impact your thoughts and actions, sin will be addressed and fought with a mighty effort.
I personally love that the pace at which we move along in Eph 4:1 is described as walking! I realize this verbiage is not really addressing the rate of our physical stride, but when we are tired, it is difficult to consider running, so I am thankful that perhaps walking is sometimes okay! The scriptures that quickly lend themselves to mind are 1 Cor 9:24 and Heb 12:1.
1Co 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but [only] one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
The verbiage in the above verses speak more of a course than the actual act of physically running. I, for one, am thankful for that! We are to walk – to tread all around, to walk at large (especially as proof of ability), to live, to deport oneself, to follow, to go, to be occupied with, and to walk (about) – in a manner worthy. This really describes what my life needs to be about. No matter what. Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter. You could say things weren’t going real well for him, it probably wasn’t the highlight of his plans, but his focus was on honoring God, not pleasing himself. I need to be absorbed in living my life for Jesus. This will be my main concern, what captures my interest and what fills my mind. We can see how this mindset will affect the way we react to others when we are disappointed. If I am occupied with walking in a manner pleasing to God, I will not get derailed by disappointment. Discouragement will not be what I act upon. I will not choose to put my pleasures above God’s commands. I will still have concerns, I will still feel hurt, I may struggle with being annoyed, and I will feel the pull of sin. But these things will quickly be handed to God’s care as I walk forward in Christ’s strength. My course will not veer off into an area where my life reeks of the sin that once controlled me. I am now under God’s control, a captive of His great love for me. Because of Jesus I am worthy, I can and should act in a way appropriate to my calling as God’s child.
Choose God’s authority, choose to walk worthy, and choose to uphold your calling in Christ. Choose to be a prisoner of God’s great grace and power.
