The Lowly Walk, Part 2

Ephesians 4:1

INTRODUCTION

The first three chapters of Ephesians affirm that we have a high position in Christ: we are exalted to heavenly places, blessed with all spiritual blessings, and recipients of the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. We are one with Him and citizens of His kingdom. The last three chapters of Ephesians show us how to live in light of who we are.

A. The Passion of Paul

The apostle Paul was passionate when it came to pleading with people to know God's Word.

1. Acts 26:3--Paul said to King Agrippa, "I beseech thee to hear me patiently."

2. Romans 12:1--"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice."

3. 1 Corinthians 4:16--"I beseech you, be ye followers of me."

4. 2 Corinthians 2:8--Paul said regarding an erring brother, "I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him."

5. 2 Corinthians 5:20--"We beg you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."

6. Galatians 4:12--"Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am." In Galatians 5:1 Paul specifies that he had been set free in Christ.

When Paul believed in a vital reality or was committed to some principle of divine truth, he implored people to act.

Intellectual Exercise or Impassioned Preaching?

I can identify with Paul. Sometimes I plead with you, and as a pastor I have every right to. I cannot approach the ministry with detachment or indifference.

Some years ago I had an opportunity to speak at one of the major Christian colleges of our land. I was assigned to speak in an expository manner, so I decided on 1 Corinthians 5 as my text and the motivation of the apostle Paul as my subject. Knowing that the students and faculty were involved with academics all day, I thought they could use some fire and passion. So I poured out my heart to them and preached the best I could. I pleaded with them to respond to the principles of God's Word so that when they left school, they would make a difference in the world. After finishing my prayer I felt as if I had bared my soul to them.

As I walked out the auditorium, one of the students confronted me. He said, "Apparently you didn't realize to whom you were speaking. You should have been informed as to the intellectual level of the students. Your emotional stories and display were quite unnecessary --in fact, they were offensive. We are mature, intellectual people. Just give us the facts and we'll judge whether they're relevant for our lives." He didn't understand that a pastor can't do that when his heart is involved in his ministry. I certainly can't detach myself like that. I got his name and later wrote him a note: "Thank you for confronting me, for it makes me think about my ministry. But I must remind you that my ministry is not mere intellectual exercise; I have a deep passion in my heart to see people obey God's Word." 

The prophets of God in the Old Testament were passionate men. Jesus Christ Himself was passionate--many times He cried out over the sins of the people. He wept over the city of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44). I imagine that tears often streamed down Paul's face because he wanted the people to respond to God. In Ephesians 4:1 he says, "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation to which ye are called." He didn't coldly say, "It is essential that you walk worthy"--He begged them. The reason he did so is simple: until you walk worthy, God isn't fully glorified, you aren't fully blessed, the church can't fully function, and the world can't see Jesus Christ.

B. The Knowledge of God's Word

In our last lesson we emphasized the importance of knowing God's truth. There are two important things you need to know in that regard.

1. The protection of knowledge

If you don't know the Word of God you can't protect yourself from sin. The psalmist said, "Thy word have I hidden in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Ps. 119:11). Your defense against sin is the Word of Christ dwelling richly within you (Col. 3:16).

The book of Proverbs is about wisdom, a valuable commodity since where there is ignorance there is sin. When you don't know the Word of God you have no defense against sin. Proverbs 7:5-23 illustrates the importance of being protected by God's Word. "Keep ... from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flattereth with her words. For at the window of my house I looked through my casement [lattice], and beheld among the simple ones [naive people], I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, in the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night. And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtle of heart. (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house; now is she outside, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, I have peace offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows. Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with embroidered works, with fine linen of Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning; let us solace ourselves with love. For my husband is not at home; he is gone on a long journey. He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. With her much fair speech she caused him to yield; with the flattering of her lips she forced him. He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, till an arrow strike through his liver--as a bird hasteneth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life."

Being void of understanding means you are defenseless and vulnerable. Deeply knowing God's truth--knowing it by experience and application--enables you to say no to sin and yes to righteousness. Anyone who puts his faith in Jesus Christ yet does not constantly keep God's Word at the forefront of his mind will find himself entrapped in sin again and again.

2. The peril of knowledge

Although we must know God's Word to defend ourselves against sin and obey God's will, there is a danger. Once we know His truth, we are held accountable for what we know.

Second Peter 2:21 speaks of apostates--those who knew about Jesus Christ but returned to their former life, having never committed themselves to Him: "It had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them." It is better never to have known the truth than to turn away from it.

As powerful as that point is, the Lord still commanded us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). Better than knowing the truth and not responding is knowing it so you can respond. Someone could argue that since James 4:17 says, "To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin," it is better not to know the Bible. However if you don't know it, you never even get the chance to obey it.

Our goal as believers is to know the truth and then obey it. That's how we fulfill God's plan for our lives. The alternative is misery. When you don't know the truth you can't obey it. As a result you'll never know God's blessing. And when you know it but don't obey it; you'll continually experience the chastening of God.

Paul begged us to walk worthy of Christ. He's our standard. Colossians 3:1-2 says, "If ye, then, be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not things on the earth." Earthly things are to be dead for us (Col. 3:5).

An Exalted Position Demands a Lowly Walk

Is it possible for us to walk worthy? First John 2:6 says, "He that saith he abideth in him [Christ] ought himself to walk, even as he walked." Scripture doesn't ask us to do things we can't do. We can walk worthy by knowing God's principles and responding to them. Here's an important point to keep in mind: just because we are exalted with Christ doesn't mean we must live exalted lives. Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart" (Matt. 11:29). Our high position demands a lowly walk. Ephesians 4:2-3 says we're to be "with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

LESSON

I. THE CALL TO THE WORTHY WALK (v. 1)

The Greek word translated "walk" in Ephesians 4:1 means "daily conduct." The theme of the last three chapters of Ephesians is the believer's conduct: we are to walk in unity (4:1-16), in distinctness (4:17-32), in love (5:1-7), in light (5:8-14), in wisdom (5:15-17), in the Spirit (5:18; en]6:9), and in preparation for warfare (6:10- 24). The Christian walk speaks of our lifestyle.

The Power of the Worthy Walk

Ephesians 3:16-20 shows that it is possible to walk worthy of Christ. First we must commit ourselves to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to strengthen us by His might (v. 16). Then Christ purifies and cleanses us so that He might dwell in us. As He penetrates our lives with His love, we are filled with all the fullness of God and enabled to do "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" (Eph. 3:20). That's what enables you to walk the worthy walk. You'll never do it by simply knowing theology and trying to live it out on your own. You must commit yourself to the power available through the Holy Spirit before you can walk worthy of your calling as a Christian. 

A. The Prisoner (v. 1a)

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord."

1. His perspective

This is the second time Paul referred to himself a prisoner (Eph. 3:1 being the first). He often referred to himself that way (e.g., 2 Tim. 1:8; Philem. 1, 9). Technically he was a prisoner of Rome, but he never saw it that way. That's because he had the ability to see things in light of how they affected Christ. That is the best way to live. We ought to interpret everything with respect to what God's Word says.

No matter what happened in his life, Paul immediately considered how it would effect God. Most people facing difficulties in their lives wonder only how those trials will effect them. That's thinking on an earthy level. But he who has the word of Christ dwelling in him richly functions within a divine frame of reference. He responds by asking God what He is communicating through those difficulties.

When your mind and heart are committed to the God's Word, you will match everything and every event in your life to the divine grid. A mature Christian is truly God-conscious. David said, "I have set the Lord always before me.... Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth" (Ps. 16:8-9). David was happy as long as God was his point of reference.

2. His point

Why did Paul bring up for a second time the fact he was a prisoner? Because he wanted the church to walk worthy of the One who called them no matter the cost. In his case the cost was imprisonment--about as bad a circumstance as anyone might endure, especially in ancient times.

The root of the Greek word translated "worthy" speaks of equalizing the scales. A Christian's lifestyle ought to be equalized with his identity. There ought to be a perfect harmony between who you are and how you live. And your circumstances shouldn't affect that, no matter how bad they might be. The worthy walk may lead to prison and death, as it did for Paul, but it should never change our commitment to walk worthy of our Lord.

Law vs. Grace

Throughout the Old Testament God told the nation of Israel that if they would obey Him, He would bless them. Blessing was contingent upon obedience. But in the New Testament God tells us that since He has already blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies (Eph. 1:3), we ought to obey Him. That's the difference between law and grace. Law says, "If you do this, I'll bless." Grace says, "I've already blessed; now please do this." So we respond to God out of gratitude, not fear. 

B. The Plea (v. 1b)

"[I] beseech you that ye walk worthy."

1. The definition

The Greek word translated "beseech" (parakaleo) means "to call to someone with intensity" or "to plead with someone." Paul didn't hesitate to beg people to obey God because he was so concerned about them.

2. The display

Some pastors can put on quite a performance, but that's not how it should be. Ministry is more than preaching a good sermon or creating good programs; it is seeing that the people are perfected in Jesus Christ (Col. 1:28). There's never a day when I go home after a day of study or ministry and feel like I have completed my work, because I haven't. A sermon may be finished, a manuscript may be written, a problem may be solved, or a solution to a biblical issue may have been discovered. But I never go home without thinking of the other things that needed to be done, like talking to a certain person, helping someone, calling someone, writing someone, or taking care of a family that needs help. Truly a pastor's work is never done.

I know what Paul meant when he said, "Beside those things that are without [his physical suffering], that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches" (2 Cor. 11:28). To see the saints become mature is the goal that drives the pastor. Paul said, "We preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect [mature, complete] in Christ Jesus" (Col. 1:28). In Galatians 4:19 he says, "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you." The growth of the saints was his great desire.

3. The desire

Spiritual maturity is the goal of ministry. Paul was so committed to that goal that he prayed night and day for it to be a reality in the lives of the people (1 Thess. 3:10). The servant of God gives his life for the spiritual maturity of the flock. If a minister is ever satisfied with anything less, he ought to get out of the ministry.

C. The Calling (v. 1c)

"Of the vocation [calling] to which ye are called."

Your lifestyle should match your calling. First let us consider who called you to Christ.

1. The source of our call

a) John 6:44--Jesus said, "No man can come to me, except the Father, who hath sent me, draw him."

b) Romans 11:29--"The gifts and calling of God are without repentance."

c) Romans 8:30--"Whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified." God called you.

d) Ephesians 1:4--"He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world."

e) John 15:16--Jesus said to His disciples, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you."

f) 1 Corinthians 1:26--Paul said, "Ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men, not many mighty, not many noble, are called."

g) 2 Thessalonians 1:11--Paul said, "We pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling."

h) 2 Peter 1:10--"Give diligence to make your calling and election sure."

2. The response to our call

Suppose after investigating all the different religions of the world, a person chose Christianity. If Christianity was nothing more than a simple, personal choice to be saved, the person would have a certain level of commitment to it. The thinking would be, Since I decided to do it, it's worth doing. However, knowing that any one is a Christian because the sovereign, almighty ruler of the universe wrote his name in a book before the world began creates a much higher level of commitment.

Suppose a single woman approached a young bachelor and told him he had characteristics she admired. Then she asked him if he would be interested in marrying her, and he agreed. Obviously there's something missing in that courtship. But suppose the young bachelor approached this young woman first and tells her she is the loveliest girl he has ever seen, and that he has gone from one end of the world to the other and found that her beauty and character surpasses all. Then when he asks her for her hand in marriage we know that nothing is missing.

Magnify that illustration to God's perspective. We didn't ask God if we could get in on a salvation deal. No. Out of all the world He chose us--and that's a high calling (Phil. 3:14). It's also a holy calling (1 Tim. 1:9) and a heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1). Such a calling demands a like response.

CONCLUSION

Only one thing matters from the moment you become a Christian until you see Jesus--that you walk worthy, living up to who you are in Him. What you own, what you know, and what you do for a living are not all that important. Neither is how many times you come to church. What matters is that you walk worthy of Christ on a moment-by-moment basis.

Suppose that immediately after you were saved, the Lord stamped your forehead with the words, "Watch me. I'm a child of God." What would that do to your lifestyle? If I love God and Christ, it would make a big change. Since we do wear the name of Jesus Christ, shouldn't we walk worthy of it? Since we possess all the blessings of the Savior, shouldn't we live up to them? God has blessed us and wants us to obey Him. I beg you to walk worthy of Him!

Focusing on the Facts

1. Describe the passion of Paul.

2. Why did Paul entreat people to walk worthy of their calling?

3. What is the believer's defense against sin (Col. 3:16)?

4. Why is there an element of danger in knowledge?

5. Explain the reasoning of 2 Peter 2:21.

6. How can we reconcile that reasoning with Christ's command in Mark 16:15?

7. What should be our goal as Christians?

8. What does our high position in Christ demand from us (Eph. 4:2-3)?

9. What does the Greek word translated "walk" mean?

10. How is it possible for a Christian to walk worthy of his calling (Eph. 3:16-20)?

11. Although Paul was technically a prisoner of Rome, why did he call himself a prisoner of Christ?

12. How does a mature Christian view the trials in his life?

13. What does the Greek word translated "worthy" refer to? How does that apply to a Christian's lifestyle?

14. Explain the difference between law and grace in terms of our calling.

15. Define the Greek word translated "beseech".

16. Explain the difference between your choosing salvation and God's choosing to save you.

Pondering the Principles

1. The believer's best defense against sin is knowing and applying God's Word. One of the most important passages in Scripture about the excellency of God's Word is Psalm 119. Read the entire psalm. Record every occasion where the psalmist says that God's Word is effective in dealing with sin. What is your responsibility in each case? What is God's responsibility? Begin to apply God's Word to the sins you struggle with most. Memorize verse 11 and make it the prayer of your heart: "Thy word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee" (NASB).

2. As believers we ought to be looking at everything and every event from God's perspective. When any trial or opportunity comes our way, we need to seek God's wisdom in how to handle them. We also need to have God's perspective on the things we possess: do we look at them as things God as given us stewardship over or do we see them as things we have attained on our own? How do you presently look at trials? life's decisions? possessions? Read James 1:2-12 for the biblical perspective on trials. Read Proverbs 3:5-7 for God's perspective on life's decisions. And read Matthew 6:19-21 and 1 Timothy 6:5-11, 17-19 for the biblical perspective on riches and possessions. Make it your goal to see everything in your life from God's perspective.