I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3)

Walking Worthy

Paul was a remarkable man who could take his dire circumstances and turn them into encouragement for others. He spent many hours in jails and prisons for the cause of Christ. Men tried to kill him on more than one occasion. His life was arduous in journeys from many points on the globe as he preached the gospel of Christ. Many churches were encouraged by the preaching of Paul. As the apostle sat in another Roman prison, he wrote a letter to his beloved brethren in Ephesus, reminding them of their character in the body of Christ.

Being a Christian, it is not difficult to understand the rudimentary principles of discipleship. Paul deals with many issues among the churches and doctrines, but he never forgets to remind the people of God how they should live daily. There were men like Paul and Barnabas who could travel to share the gospel with lost souls. Most people lived in small communities, working for their families to provide and care for them. Their lot was a time of raising families, being subject to the governing authorities, enjoying occasional recreation, and working for a living. To them, Paul writes to show them the character of heart found in the kingdom of Christ.

A Christian is a person who has a lowly and gentle heart. With humility, they show Christ living in them with a gentle spirit. Not everyone can so easily come by these traits. Learning to be humble and acting with a spirit of gentleness must be learned. That knowledge must come from the word of God because the Christian wants to let the world see Christ. The people of God must be known as patient and kind in their dealings. When they labor in their jobs, they are known to be unlike the world through their lowliness and gentility. As families seek the glory of God, a Christian husband and wife show fidelity in their character.

It was not an easy life to live for Christ in the city of Ephesus. It was the capital of proconsular Asia, which was the western part of Asia Minor and was known as a great metropolis. The Temple of Diana was there, boasting a theatre seating 50,000 spectators. Idolatry was a principal character of this great city, and there were Christians who lived in the shadows of its immorality. Still, Paul exhorted the saints to be patient with others, showing the spirit of love and humility, keeping the unity of the Spirit in peace. The shepherds of the Ephesian church had their work cut out for them in helping their flock maintain purity.

Ephesus is in ruins, and the Temple of Diana is destroyed. The church of Christ remains, and the people of God fill the earth, humble, gentle, longsuffering, bearing with one another, and keeping the unity of the Spirit of grace. When someone wants to know how to walk worthy of the name of Christ, Paul offers a few traits that will show the world the love of God. The church needs more saints who demonstrate these traits so that others can see Christ living in them. Walk worthy.