Who We Are & What We’re For: The Walk (Ephesians 4:1-6)
Oct 17, 2021
The Walk (Ephesians 4:1-6)
In Ephesians 4, Paul moves from “doctrine” to “action” as he lets the audience know that God has done amazing things, and now He is urging (calling beside) the Christians to practice those things. It begins with a “therefore” (the first of 10 in the back half of the letter), and is a call back to the powerful doctrinal Truths of God. We are called to “walk worthy”, which is very different from “try harder”. The word “worthy” is a measurement term of “equal weight”. We should be sure to let our actions equal what we know about God through a consistent lifestyle. This calling is to salvation AND to be actively united to the body of Christ through His church.
Paul then goes on in verse 2 to list 5 ways to walk out this worthy calling:
- Humility – Humility fosters unity. We remember that we are from dirt, but empowered by the Holy Spirit. The only reason we have value is because we are made in the image of God.
- Gentleness – We keep emotions under control. Gentleness is strength under control like a broken colt, wind, and healing medicine. The only time Jesus describes His heart is “gentle and lowly of heart”. (Matthew 11:29)
- Patience- long-tempered or long-fused. We must give new believers a chance to grow.
- Bearing with one another – enduring someone who is unpleasant.
- Love – When we love God back, He overflows out of us into other people. Loved people love people.
Verse 3 states, “and eager to maintain the Spirit of unity and the bond of peace”. We don’t make peace or unity. It’s given to us. We can be so different and still be family.
Verses 4-6 include 7 “one’s” that speak to the Trinitarian unity of God. John 17:20 is Jesus’ prayer for the world. Our unity and love is a testimony to a watching world. They see a trustworthy God when they see us love one another well.
Discussion Questions:
- Why do you think that this passage is the first “call to action” from Paul to the Ephesian church? What does this mean for us?
- How is the world’s tolerance different from a Christian’s tolerance?
- When people leave your presence, do they feel bruised or blessed by being around you?
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