Growing in Discipleship

Ephesians 4:1-2a

Growing in Discipleship

Prepared by Dr. John E. Marshall

 

Eph. 4:1-2a (Holman) Therefore I, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility. . .

 

Here begins the second major division of Ephesians. The first section (EP 1-3), capsulized in the word "sit" (2:6), emphasized who we believers are, whose we are, and the benefits of our spiritual birthright we enjoy in heavenly places (1:3).

We yearn to stay forever on the joyful height of Ephesians 1-3, but work needs to be done below, down in the valley of everyday living. "Therefore", Paul presses ahead to the natural sequel and manifesta­tion of our blessed state. The second division of Ephesians will emphasize our "walk" (4:1d), our daily conduct. 

Christianity is, before God, essentially sitting, an inner life, a clean heart. Before people, it is essentially walking, an outer life of clean living. Both are vital.

"Walk" denotes a course of life, habitual conduct. Christianity entails high moral standards. Pagans worshiped idols, and went out and lived as they pleased. Believers cannot do this. In Christianity, the call to belong is a call to behave.

However smart and theological we are, if we fail in conduct, we embarrass Christ, and bring shame upon Him. This is not to say Christians will be perfect.

We sin, but our lives can be "worthy" of the call in the sense of their over-riding tenor being governed by holy motives. Godliness can be our dominant trait.

Before God, we are never worthy; before people, be ever worthy. The elders said of the centurion, "He is worthy for You to grant this." In contrast the centurion said of himself, "I am not worthy to have You come under my roof" (LK 7:4,6).

Who was right? The elders or the centurion? Both. In the man's deportment, in the way he bore himself before others, he was "worthy", as the elders claimed.

          On the other hand, when he viewed himself before Jesus, the centurion rightly deemed himself "not worthy". Before God we know we never live a life flawless enough, but before people we can live a life appropriate to the calling.

Paul's life illustrated this. He called himself "chief" of sinners (1 TM 1:15), yet also said, "I have kept the faith" (2 TM 4:7). The two are not contradictory, but complementary. Out­ward worthiness and inward unworthiness grow concurrently.

Worthy/unworthy—how do we reach this plateau? Paul said we have to do it "humbly". We must admit we cannot do this alone. We need the power of God, and each other, the community of believers, to be fully equipped for the journey of life.