Context
Then, in Ephesians 4:1, the entire book changes. Chapters 1-3 are doctrinal, examining aspects of our salvation. After 4:1, the book is a series of practical commands. Ephesians 4:1 is the turning point.
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.
We have been called to the amazing grace of Christ. We did not earn it and can never deserve what he did for us. But we are commanded to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling." Having been saved by grace we must walk in a way that brings honor to Christ and demonstrates his redemptive work in us.
What is a worthy manner? It is, most simply, a walk of obedience to Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit that reflects the salvation we have been given in him.
A big part of salvation, described in chapter 1, is the breaking down of walls of hostility between Jews and Greeks. So, Paul begins this section with a powerful call to unity. Those who have been redeemed in Christ must walk in unity with others who have also received his grace. Then Paul turns his attention to Christ's work in the church to build us up in unity and bring us to spiritual maturity. As the book goes on we will see calls to walk in holiness and put off the wickedness of the world, to guard our tongues, to be filled with the Spirit, to put on the full armor of God. Ephesians 4-6 is chock full of specific commands that explain to us exactly how we are supposed to walk in that worthy manner.
The question is simple: does your life adequately reflect the saving work of Christ? Is the manner of your walk worthy of the glories of his salvation?
I heard a line one time that stuck with me - I have no idea where I heard it first. It was from someone who was feeling the pangs of godly sorrow that was leading to repentance. There was a photo from a movie about the death of Christ, one that showed Jesus suffering on the cross. And the caption said,
He didn't die like that so that I could live like this!
How about you? Are you walking in a manner that is worthy of the calling? Consider the Cross and all Jesus did there and say, "In the power of the Spirit, I want my life to be a fitting response to the glorious salvation God gave to me."
Devotional - New Clothes of Christ
I was doing yard work and I was muddy, dirty, and covered with grass and weeds and all sorts of grunge. I was nasty. What I did next was simple. I stood at the porch door and brushed as much stuff off me as I could. I made my way to my room where I took off all the filthy clothes, got a hot shower, and put on new, clean clothes. Now I was fresh as a daisy.
That is how Paul illustrates the new life of the Christian. We are full of sin, living according to the ways of the world and following the dictates of our own sinful hearts. Our spiritual state is comparable to my condition coming in from working in the yard - sin makes us dirty! In Ephesians 4:17-32, Paul instructs his hearers to walk worthy of their call to salvation by taking off their old dirty clothes and putting on some new clean clothes.
This metaphor speaks of the old ways that were part of our natural, sinful nature. Those are the old dirty clothes that verse 22 tells us to "put off." Then, verse 23 tells us to put on the new clothes of Christ - clean and pure.
Our God is truth, so verse 25 tells us to get rid of the dirty clothes of dishonesty and clothe ourselves in truthfulness. Of course, though this command comes to us, it is actually only possible for us to obey the command as we walk in Christ and in the power of the Spirit. The Spirit of Truth can empower us to put on the clean clothes of truth.
Many believers shipwreck their lives by holding onto anger, by letting grudges grow and becoming bitter. Paul warns them to deal with their anger quickly, in verses 26-27 so that they do not sin and do not give Satan a foothold in their lives.
In verse 28, thieves are told to take off those dishonest clothes and put on the robes of integrity.
Verse 29 takes up the matters of the tongue. No corrupting talk - words that tear down, spread poison and sin, that abuse and degrade - are to come from our mouths. Those words are to be replaced by words that build up, edify and encourage.
Perhaps verses 30-32 are the best known of these verses. They tell us to stop grieving the Spirit with bitterness, wrath and anger, and to put away all slander and hurtful words - basically, all the clothes of the sinful flesh. Instead, we are to treat others as Christ treated us - being kind, compassionate and forgiving.
One thing is clear in this passage. God is not pleased when his redeemed and sanctified people walk around in the filthy clothing of the world. Since we have been redeemed, we ought to take off the nasty stuff and put on the things of Christ.
Father, forgive me for when I have walked in this world wearing the clothing of sin instead of being clothed in the righteousness of your Son. Bathe me in your holiness and clothe me in Christ.
Think and Pray
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