Jump Start # 459

Ephesians 4:1 “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.”

  Live up to your name and remember who you are is what Paul is telling the Ephesians. There are several interesting thoughts here.

  First, this opening verse leads to Paul’s emphasis upon unity. He stressed that the brethren be diligent to preserve the unity. Ignoring things is not unity. Keeping things under the radar is not unity. Avoiding issues is not unity. Unity is being one—one mind, one spirit, one voice. It comes from people who put themselves second and Christ first. They see the big picture and have come to want what God wants.

  Second, Paul layers these words with the manner or attitudes that they were to have. Unity without the right spirit doesn’t work—and is not really unity. Paul tells them to do this with a spirit of gentleness, humility, patience, love and showing tolerance for one another. How you get there is as important as getting there!

  Third, Paul “implored.” Strong word in the original language. He is stressing this with every pore of his body. This is important stuff. It comes to the top of the list and the first item on the agenda list.

  Fourth, Paul tells them to walk in a worthy manner. Walk is a journey. It’s not a step, it’s not a day. It’s more than Sunday…it’s a Thursday morning and a Saturday afternoon. Walk is progress, a continuation.

  Fifth, walk in a manner worthy—how can we do that? We are never worthy of the great sacrifice and love that Christ showed to us. Paul’s thoughts are not that any of us deserve it or earn it, but to remember you carry the name of Christ—walk that way.

  Now how do we do that? We don’t blend in with the world—that’s the best way. We remember who we are, at all times. Our language is worthy of the calling. Our attitudes are worthy of the calling. Our behavior is worth of the calling.

  There’s a great illustration of this from sports. Coaches will often tell the players that they play for the name on the front of their jersey, not the name on the back. On the back is their personal last name. On the front, is the team’s name. Play for the name on the front. Some schools do not put the players personal name on the jersey. It’s not about the individual, but the team.

  The word “Christian” means, “belongs to Christ.” Christ’s name is on our hearts and on the front of our jersey. That’s who we play for. We belong to Christ. Walk that way. Act that way.

  If we remembered that, some of the fussing and stinky attitudes would go away, wouldn’t it? We play for Christ. If we remembered that, some of the lame excuses would go away, wouldn’t it? Often players play hurt—because they are playing for the team. If we remembered that, we’d not quit so easily. We’d dig in and keep going, because we are playing for the name on the front of the jersey.

  The Corinthians were told that they had been bought with a price and that they were not their own anymore. The word, “redeemed,” means purchased. Christ bought us. The price was His blood. The jersey has His name on it. We play on His team.

  It’s an honor to be called a Christian. It’s special. Paul’s thoughts are, ‘don’t forget that.”

Roger