GUIDELINES FOR GOOD CHRISTIAN LIVING

PROCLAMATION

“As a prisoner of 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)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written in a letter by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Ephesus.  Paul began this fourth chapter with these words, urging them to live a life which was worthy of their call to be Christians.  He told them that Christ had given each one of them sufficient grace to accomplish this according to their needs. (Ephesians 4:7)  Different gifts were given to different individuals but all of them were for the work of the ministry and the edification of the believers. (Ephesians 4:11-12)  Once they were edified, they would no longer be babes in Christ, and no longer easily influenced by the cunning and craftiness of men.  They would be mature believers and be able to speak the truth to those who would attempt to influence them. (Ephesians 4:14-15)  Then he reminded them that they had been changed, they were new creatures with a new mind and a renewed spirit. (Ephesians 4:23-24)  He followed this with specific examples of that which they should not do and that which they should do, including not letting any corrupt communication proceed out of their mouth but speaking only that which is helpful for building up others. (Ephesians 4:25-32)

 

APPLICATION

When someone calls us a Christian, they should not be taking God’s name in vain.  As believers in Christ we are to behave in a “Christ-like” manner.  We are not perfect, but we should clearly be different than we were, and the change should be visible to all of the people who knew us beforehand.  We should walk worthy (Ephesians 4:1) and talk worthy (Ephesians 4:29) of being called a Christian.  We have been blessed by the grace of God with gifts, talents, and abilities which we should use to the glory of God, and to build up the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:12)  We should also know, or learn, enough to help the uninformed, and so that we can refute those who present us with false doctrine. (Ephesians 4:14-15)