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“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Ephesians 4:1.)
Introduction
What do we hope to achieve as believers if we refuse to walk worthy of Christ? How can we expect to grow to maturity in our faith if we do not follow and serve Him as obedient children?
Five Vital Virtues
As discussed earlier in our studies of Walking Worthy there are certain virtues that every true believer must have. Let’s briefly reiterate them:
1. Humility. We ought to see ourselves totally unworthy of even the least of God’s blessings and mercy. Pride, in all its forms, always defeats the believer. A humble believer always gives God the credit and glory.
2. Gentleness. As Christ’s representatives on earth we should be gentle and self-controlled. Such gentleness manifests itself best in the area of forgiveness.
3. Patience. Enduring the most difficult of circumstances and people. This is faith in the purposes of God.
4. Love. Forbearing love that is sacrificial. This love is extended even to our enemies.
5. Unity. We must be united with likeminded believers. How can we claim to be one with Christ if we cannot get along with our brother?
These are the characteristics God expects to see in His people. Holiness and righteousness is vital in every aspect of our daily walk.
Walking Worthy and Sanctification
These virtues should be the goal of every Christian who wants to please and honour God. There has been much said about the need of sanctification in the lives of believers today, but the whole concept can be simply described as Walking Worthy of Christ.
Until that day when we stand before the Lord Jesus Christ, it is our duty to walk worthy. The blessings for faithfulness is dependent upon this … “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:12-15.) Anything less than a worthy walk is not the type of Christianity mentioned in Scripture, therefore we must beware of self-deception here, for without holiness “no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14.)
Everything else, even our greatest treasure on earth, fades into insignificance in the light of the vital need of all of God’s saints. We must determine in our own hearts if we are going to step out in faith and obedience to walk worthy of Christ today. By doing nothing about it we have already decided what we are going to do. Ignoring the issue is the same as telling God to leave us alone and let us get on with our own lives.
Conclusion
For the believer, who wants to live the normal Christian life, walking worthy is his greatest desire. The teaching of a sanctified walk is found throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Here, as we close our study, are a few related texts to convince us that we need to take the most important step of all.
“Walk uprighty” (Psalm 84:11; Proverbs 2:7.)
“Walk in His ways” (Psalm 119:3.)
“Walk in His paths” (Isaiah 2:3.)
“Walk in the statutes of life” (Ezekiel 33:15.)
“Walk after the Lord” (Hosea 11:10.)
“Walk in the name of the Lord” (Micah 4:5.)
“Walk humbly” (Micah 6:8.)
“Walk in the way of good men” (Proverbs 2:20.)
“Walk in the way of safety” (Proverbs 3:23.)
“This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isaiah 30:21.)
“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23.)