Following Jesus 82

God’s vision for the church is to glorify Him (I Corinthians 10:31). The goal, aspiration and focus of the church is to bring God glory, honor and praise. The way in which this is to be done is not up for speculation. Rather, God has given us specific instructions as to how to go about glorifying Him. This is accomplished by God centered worship, evangelism, ministry, discipleship and finally the fellowship by followers of Jesus with God and with one another. 
 
What are biblical characteristics of God glorifying fellowship? Ephesians 4:1-3 provides insight.  “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3 ESV).
 
The Apostle explains that first there is fellowship with Christ. Vs. 1. “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,”
  
I therefore. This “therefore” word marks the transition from doctrine to duty, principle to practice, position to behavior in the Ephesian letter. This is typical of Paul (see Romans 12:1; Galatians 5:1; Philippians 2:1; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:1).
 
A prisoner. Paul is under the custody of the Roman government. He is a prisoner for the Lord. By mentioning his imprisonment again (see Eph. 3:1), Paul gently reminded Ephesian believers that the faithful Christian walk can be costly and that he had paid a considerable personal price because of his obedience to the Lord.
 
For the Lord. Paul acknowledges that he is a prisoner on this earth at this time in his life by the Roman Emperor because of his service to the ultimate King and ruler: Jesus Christ. 
 
Urge you. The apostle is earnestly invite the Ephesian believers to walk, behave and to live with their entire being in a manner worthy of Christ.  “Walk” is frequently used in the NT to refer to daily conduct. It sets the theme for the final three chapters. “Worthy” has the idea of living to match one’s position in Christ. The apostle urged his readers to be everything the Lord desires and empowers them to be.
 
Of the calling. The calling and the only calling is an invitation into the covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ. A calling only found in Jesus Christ. Romans 8:28-30. This refers to God’s sovereign call to salvation, as always in the epistles. The effectual call that saves is mentioned in Ephesians 1:18, Romans 11:29, 1 Corinthians 1:26, Philippians 3:14, 2 Thessalonians 1:11, 2 Timothy 1:9 and Hebrews 3:1.
 
To which you have been called describes this call as a sovereign invitation from God to which the sinner has been invited. It is God’s sovereign call resulting in salvation. 
 
 

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