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Topic: The Worthy Walk
[DCLM Daily Manna 27 May 2020 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: Ephesians 4:1-10
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Key Verse: “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” – (Ephesians 4:1)
MESSAGE:
Well did Dr. Worthington observe when he wrote: “The Gospel doth not only represent the doctrine of Christ to be believed; but also the life of Christ to be followed: nor shall any have him for their advocate and propitiation, but such as are willing to have him for their pattern and example; to copy out and imitate his humility, patience, purity, benignity, and self-resignation. None shall be benefited by his death, that are unwilling to live his life.”
Living the life of Christ is what Apostle Paul meant when he exhorted the Ephesian Christians to “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith [they were] called.” He did not leave his prescription hanging on vagueness, but proceeded to apply it to specific Christian duties. They were expected to demonstrate the grace of God in them through meekness, forbearance and kindness even among themselves. In particular, they were to endeavour to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”, seeing they had one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism and God.
Believers are reminded of the triumph of Christ over Satan, sin, sickness and death, which hitherto enslaved mankind. This was accomplished through His resurrection, ascension and glorification. As a token of that victory, Christ has given differing gifts and grace to men. These gifts rather than being a source of rivalry among His people, are supposed to be a uniting force as they are meant to complement one another.
As Christians, we must not forget that we are called to the highest and most glorious vocation. We can only express our appreciation of that privilege by walking worthy of it through practical demonstration of piety. A sound disposition anchored on true love and unity of spirit among us is a reflection of this worthy walk.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: True Christians measure their progress by their proximity to Christ.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 15-16
