May 13 Walk This Way

Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
 
PAUL has affirmed God’s salvation to all, celebrating the church’s role in ministering to all people that gracious truth. Now he begins the second part of Ephesians with the intention to teach us how to live as Jesus’ true church. He begins with some walking instructions.
    The phrase “How’s your walk?” seems to pop up in church, doesn’t it? I believe it’s often asked with a caring heart. Christians – Jesus’ church – are called to care for one another. With a loving attitude it is appropriate to ask the question. As one replies with an honest, humble answer, the conversation can be of help to encourage each of us to walk more closely with our Lord.
    What does that walk look like? Paul tells us. As we have been saved by God’s grace through Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension, we should walk to honor God’s costly gift and glorious power. We do so when we walk with a humble, gentle, patient and understanding heart. We walk faithfully trusting God as we live under the Spirit’s power and peace.
    As Paul experienced many churches and its members, he must have seen people walking in opposition to his teaching here. We see similar exhortations in 1 Corinthians 13, the famous “love chapter”. And Paul encourages the church to walk in these unifying traits in Colossians and Galatians. 
    How much strife would be absent in Jesus’ church if his people had walked in this way? I am consistently amazed at the number of churches that have experienced serious division because its people walked in their own way. They let go of Jesus’ bonds of peace. They dismissed his love as meaningless. They traded humility for self-power and church control.
    One way to apply Paul’s words is to say, “Walk as Jesus walked. Walk with your Lord. Walk in your Lord’s teaching. Walk in your Lord’s death. Walk in your Lord’s resurrection. Walk with faith. Take Jesus’ hand. He will lead you on the paths of righteous for his name’s aske.”    Friends, this works in your home and your job, your volunteer organizations and your community groups. Walk in Jesus’ power, and you will enjoy a walk of peace.
 
Prayer: Lord, teach me how to walk more closely with you. In Jesus, I pray. Amen.