WALK WORTHY OF THE CALLING - J. C. O'Hair

WALK WORTHY OF THE CALLING

Pastor J. C. O’Hair

Let us meditate upon the meaning of the exhortation that came from the heart and pen of a prisoner. “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation (calling) wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1 to 3).
The man who wrote that exhortation, measured by true standards and values, was the greatest man who ever lived on this earth, with the single exception of the Man Christ Jesus, Who was in a class by Himself, for Christ was God in human form. This prisoner called himself “the prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ.” He wrote in another message; “Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20).
That bond-slave and prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ was in jail for telling a Secret, God’s Mystery kept secret from the foundation of the world. (Romans 16:25 - Romans 8:28 to 32 - Colossians 4:3 and 4 - Ephesians 6:19 and 20 - Ephesians 3:1 to 4). He was Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles. (Romans 11:13). Paul was Christ’s masterbuilder. (I Corinthians 3:10).
The apostle Paul practiced what he preached; “he walked to please God.” (I Thessalonians 4:1).
If a Christian is to walk worthy of his calling, he must know what his calling is, and, in God’s way, he must know what is the hope of God’s calling and what the riches of the glory of God’s inheritance in the saints. (Ephesians 1:16 to 18). He must know “the Mystery of Christ.” (Ephesians 3:1 to 4). A Christian cannot walk as his calling demands until he knows what his calling is.
The word “worthy” is also translated “as becometh” in Philippians 1:27 - Romans 16:2, and “after a godly sort,” in 3 John 6.
We have very much the same exhortation in I Timothy 3:15 and 16, “that thou mayest know how to behave in the House of God, Which is the Church of the living God.” This did not refer to the Christian’s behavior in the meeting-place, but what he is to do and not to do every day, hour and moment, as a member of the Body of Christ.
Members of the Body of Christ are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, unto good works, which God hath before ordained that they should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10). They are not saved, or members of the Household of God, (Ephesians 2:8 and 9 - Ephesians 2:19 to 22), because they are worthy, or walk worthy; but because “worthy is the Lamb that was slain.” (Revelation 5:12) (Ephesians 2:8 and 9).
But to be new creatures in Christ Jesus means to be raised with Christ, “to walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4). These new creatures have been raised up to sit in the heavenlies in Christ. “Our citizenship is in heaven.” (Philippians 3:20). If our citizenship is where Christ is, our affections and hope should be on things above. (Colossians 3:1 to 3 - Colossians 1:5). And let us ever remember that while here on earth we walk not by sight, but by faith. (II Corinthians 5:7). We walk spiritually when we are not walking physically.
The Holy Spirit would not have us walk as Gentiles (sinners) walk. (Ephesians 4:17). That is what the carnal saints at Corinth did. They walked as men. (I Corinthians 3:2 to 5).
Saints are to walk in the Spirit. (Romans 8:4 and Galatians 5:16 and 25). “Walk honestly as in the day.” (Romans 13:13 - I Thessalonians 4:12). “Walk in love.” (Ephesians 5:2). “Walk as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8). “Walk worthy of the Lord.” (Colossians 1:10). “Walk in Jesus the Lord.” (Colossians 2:6). “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without.” (Colossians 4:5). “Walk worthy of God.” (I Thessalonians 2:12). “Walk in truth.” (3 John 4). “Walk as Christ walked.” (I John 2:6).
If we are to walk in truth, we must rightly divide the Word of truth, and not walk in Israel’s hope and calling, but in the light of the revelation which the risen Christ gave to and through Paul concerning our heavenly position.

Posted By – Cecil Spivey

Cspivey1953@gmail.com

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