Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Love – Ephesians 4:1-3 – Live A Life Worthy Of The Calling – Growing As Disciples
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3 (NIV)
Follow Me
What kind of life is worthy of my calling? I’m not exactly sure what you mean? If you wanted to live your life in a way that would please me how would you live it? I know for sure what would not work and what would not be pleasing to you. What’s that? You wouldn’t be pleased to see me struggling in my own best efforts to try and please you. Why do you say that? First, of all I would fail miserably. Secondly, I would be trying to live a self-righteous life. Finally, I would be discouraged and depressed by my miserable efforts. I don’t think you would want to see any of that. No, I would not.
Let’s go back to the part about calling? What did I call you to be and do? You called me to be your child. You called me turn away from my sin to follow you. If you focused entirely on trying to please me by the way that you were living what might you loose sight of? I don’t even want to use the word might. I would loose sight of the fact that I was your child. I would be so busy trying to live a certain way that I would forget to follow you. Yes, you would.
So, let’s go back to my first question. What kind of life is worthy of my calling? A life that relies on you is a life that is worthy of your calling. That’s right. I didn’t just call you to turn away from sin. I also called you to follow me. You will never be able to live the life I have for you, that is worthy of me, unless you follow me. I get it.
I know that you want to be gentle and patient and humble. I know that you want to love others just as I love you. I know that you want to be a peacemaker that brings unity into every divisive situation. Yes, I do. Where do you think all those desires came from in the first place? They came from you. Yes, they did. Do you believe that I will grant these desires that I have put into your heart? Yes, I certainly do. You must know that you will be none of these things with your own strength, by your own best efforts. I’m absolutely certain of that. You must also know that I will grant everyone of these desires because I have put them into your heart. I am also absolutely certain that you will grant me these desires of my heart. As you do what? As I follow you and rely on you to do your work in and through my life. Now, you do get it.
Lord, it is my desire to live my life in every way that is worthy of your call. I will need your help and strength to do so. Develop in me the qualities of humility, gentleness and patience so I can love others and live in unity with them. Amen
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