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Walking with God Ephesians 4:1-2
In the first three chapters of Ephesians the Apostle Paul set before us the blessed doctrine of the Gospel, reminding us of all that the Lord our God, the Triune Jehovah (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost), has done for us in Christ.
Our Responsibility In chapter four, upon the basis of all the boundless, free grace of God heaped upon such sinners as we are in Christ Jesus, the Apostle calls upon us to walk with God, to live like sinners saved by grace, to live like believers. ÒI therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are calledÓ (v. 1). Understanding who we are, what we are by nature, what God has done for us by his grace, and what we are in Christ, saved sinners want to honor God in all things. John Trapp wroteÉ
ÒEvery believer is GodÕs firstborn; and so higher than the kings of the earth (Psalm 89:27). He must therefore carry himself accordingly, and not stain his high blood.Ó
Children of God, walk with God. Live for Christ. Live for the glory of God in this world. That is our responsibility (Romans 12:1-2). Let me walk worthy of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus! Spirit of God, give us grace to devote ourselves to our God, as our God is devoted to us! Give us grace to walk with God! But, how? How can a man walk with God? How can I honor God in my life? — Read verse 2, and learnÉ
The Character of the Walk ÒWith all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.Ó We walk with God by faith in Christ. We please God by faith in Christ (Hebrews 11:1-6). We find acceptance with God only by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Being saved by the grace of God, being redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, let us ever walk with God, adorning the doctrine of God our Savior in all things (Titus 2:7-10). As we live by faith, we honor God, adorning the doctrine of God our Savior, by serving, ministering to, and helping his people. The Spirit of God tells us plainly the character of a walk that is worthy of our calling. Here it is — ÒWith all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.Ó ÒWith all Lowliness of MindÓ — In the exercise of humility, having the best thoughts of others and the lowest thoughts of ourselves. — In not envying the gifts and graces of others, but rejoicing in them. — Always take the lowest place. — Never seek honor, but always turn honor away from yourself to another. ÒWith LongsufferingÓ — Bearing patiently the faults and infirmities of others, not being easily provoked to anger, not being offended by slight or misunderstanding (Galatians 6:1-2). ÒForbearing One Another in LoveÓ — Making whatever allowances are necessary, because you love one another (1 Corinthians 13:4-7; 1 Peter 4:8). — ÒLove is the bond of perfectnessÓ (Colossians 3:14).
Don Fortner
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Pastor FortnerÕs
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