Walking as Mature Christians

An Expository Commentary Based upon Paul's Letter to the Ephesians

Callahan

• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Year: 2012
• eBook ISBN: 9781630870690
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Religion

The Apostle Paul realized that he was an infant in the faith after his encounter with the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus. He experienced what was required to become a member of Christ's body and to walk as a mature Christian. Therefore, he wanted to share these truths with the Ephesians and with us.What does he do? First, he presents doctrine regarding the Holy Spirit, the Lord Jesus Christ, and God the Father. Then, he focuses on the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Why? He knew we needed to acquire knowledge of God's Word and develop a personal relationship with the Triune God.He concludes this portion of Scripture with comforting words and stern warnings. The former assures us of attaining spiritual maturity, whereas the latter warns against the predators espousing false doctrine, trickery, cunning craftiness, and deceit, which are only overcome by an intimate knowledge of the Son of God.

1

Prisoner of the Lord

I THEREFORE, the prisoner of (in) the Lord, beseech you that ye

walk worthy of the vocation (calling) wherewith ye are called,

With all lowliness and meekness (gentleness), with long suffering, forbearing (bearing with) one another in love;

Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace [Eph. 4:1–3].

God has blessed us mightily with His Word, His Son Christ Jesus, and through the revealing power and illumination of the Holy Spirit. The first three chapters of this magnificent letter have revealed God’s purpose, God’s way of reconciliation, the unsearchable riches of Christ, the eternal purpose which God purposed in Christ Jesus, and Paul’s beautiful, revealing prayer in the last eight verses of the third chapter.

Much time has been spent considering doctrine and examining it in light of the basic truths contained in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The first three chapters reveal that God’s wealth, power, and love are available to us and will work within us.

The wealth bestowed upon us is not to be hoarded, but it is to be circulated so it can minister to others. The revelation of the divine truths becomes fruitful only as it is transmitted into the actual living experience. The wealth bestowed upon the person in Christ should manifest itself in his or her life.

The better we know God’s truths and believe them, then the greater responsibility we have to live accordingly. Our thoughts regarding God’s knowledge and belief become so intertwined that God’s truths express themselves positively as we continue walking with Him.

“The first three chapters tell us how God sees us in Christ in the heavenlies, while four through six tell us how men should see Christ in us on earth,” according to the remarkable Ruth Paxson. These three chapters should bring us closer and closer to Jesus Christ and strengthen us so that we can follow Him more closely. Paul communicates to the Ephesians in a practical manner what is revealed in and through Jesus Christ.

It is not to be considered from a distance, but to become part of our mind, body, soul, and spirit. It is to become the standard for our daily living. How can it become the standard if we do not know the details, if we do not rehearse and practice, and if we do not covenant?

How can a cook prepare a fine meal with excellent dishes if he or she does not follow the recipes, select the proper ingredients, devote the time and energy, and concentrate?

Why do we expect the important issues of life to fall easily into place, or to cost us nothing, when considering for even a moment that Jesus Christ went to the Cross, was crucified, suffered, and died for each of us, individually? We have a responsibility to learn more and more.

The first three chapters have been entirely doctrinal. The Apostle has been presenting the great doctrines of the faith and explaining the essential points to understanding the way of salvation. Having done this, Paul proceeds to the practical application of doctrine. He describes in the remaining chapters how doctrine is related to daily living. So, at this juncture of Paul’s letter, we are at a real division. We are at a transition point. However, we must keep our feet on the ground and be aware of certain factors.

The word therefore introduces Chapter 4 and signals a transition, but the Apostle Paul returns to doctrine in the fourth verse. He does not deal in absolute divisions, because he could not. We also cannot separate doctrine and practice. People who think we can miss much of the glory of faith in Christ Jesus.

When Paul used the word therefore he made a definite, clear connection between faith and practice. First the doctrine, then the application: the two go together. In the first three verses of Chapter 4, Paul deals with application, then he goes back to doctrine, saying,

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all [Eph. 4:4–6].

The two are intertwined. They cannot and should not be separated. Then, Paul goes back to application during portions of the fourth, fifth, and sixth chapters. Yet he will also present doctrine.

The first thing the Apostle does, after shifting the emphasis from doctrine to the practical application of it, is to urge the Ephesians (and us) to walk worthy of the vocation (calling) wherewith ye are called, . . . The Greek word for calling is klēsis. It is revealing because it “is always used in the New Testament of that calling the origin, nature and destiny of which are heavenly.” This is no ordinary calling, nor a temporary one, but a calling for life. Notice when Paul says this. It is immediately after a prayer wherein he prays . . . that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask, or think, according to the power that worketh in us, . . . [Eph. 3:19–20].

Why does Paul use the word walk? Ruth Paxson states that “to walk implies purpose, starting for a goal; progress, steadily advancing step by step; perseverance, keeping on until the goal is reached. Walking stands for steady, sustained motion, and involves the action of the mind in the decision to start; of the heart in the desire to continue, and of the will in the determination to arrive.

“Such a walk requires on the manward side fullest cooperation with God. It demands a set purpose, a steady progress, and a strong perseverance. The Christian must resolutely purpose to “put off the old man,” and to “put on the new man”; he must keep steadily on his course without faltering or fainting in spite of all opposition by not “giving place to the devil,” or “grieving the spirit,” but rather by being filled with the spirit and empowered by Him.

“But how exceedingly, difficult is such a walk! The old habits of life are so binding, the worldly currents about us are so strong; the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil are so subtle; the fear of being considered peculiar is so gripping; the opportunity of fellowship with spiritually-minded Christians is so limited. To maintain a steady, sustained consistency in daily conduct is not an easy task. It is far easier to float downstream with the tide of nominal Christianity; to drift in the listlessness and lukewarmness of a worldly church; to creep along as a spiritual babe, fed on the milk of elementary doctrines of salvation; easier even to mount up with eagles wings and soar to spiritual heights of sudden inspiration on some spiritual Mount of Transfiguration only to relapse into a backslidden condition when facing the stern realities of Christian living in an unsympathetic atmosphere; very much easier, even, to run rising to some particular task such as teaching a Bible class, or leading a meeting, or preaching a sermon, than to practice consistently in the home, office, or social circle the truth preached. A daily consistent Christlike walk; no stagnancy, slump or sloth—how hard!” Yes, it is hard, but by the grace of God, the presence of the risen Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit we can walk worthy of the vocation (calling) wherewith ye are called.

Paul begins this section saying,

I THEREFORE, the prisoner of (in) the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation (calling) wherewith ye are called, . . . [Eph. 4:1].

The Greek word for therefore means “then, now.” Paul says because of what has happened, because of what has been presented, then or now I beseech you.

Therefore, in this instance, does not indicate beginning something new, but conveys the meaning that what follows is a continuation of what has gone before. There is not a change of thought, but there is a specific call...

Table of contents

• Book Title
• Topical Categories in Walking with Jesus
• Volume Four: Topical Categories
• Foreword
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• The Question of Authorship
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Prisoner of the Lord
• Chapter 2: Regeneration
• Chapter 3: Called to Walk in His Footsteps
• Chapter 4: Unity
• Chapter 5: One Body, and One Spirit
• Chapter 6: The Person of the Holy Spirit
• Chapter 7: The Holy Spirit
• Chapter 8: Looking Forward
• Chapter 9: King of Kings, Lord of Lords
• Chapter 10: Thy Blood Shed for Me
• Chapter 11: Baptism
• Chapter 12: God the Father
• Chapter 13: But Unto Every One
• Chapter 14: Worship Intelligently
• Chapter 15: Faith and Knowledge
• Chapter 16: The Perfect Man
• Chapter 17: Henceforth
• Chapter 18: Cunning Craftiness
• Chapter 19: Growing Up Into Christ
• Chapter 20: Weaned From Milk
• Chapter 21: Spirit Producing Fruit
• Outline Questions
• Bibliography