WALK WORTHY OF YOUR CALLING

Text: Ephesians 4:1-6

To walk worthy of your Calling means to represent the image of the one who called you. It means to fulfil the mandate or assignment given to you by God. This requires that we study the blueprint of the terms of our calling conscientiously so as to understand what is expected from us. 

The lord has expectations from each  of us. In Mathew 25 he talked about the parable of the talents. He has given each of us something of value; a unique portion or measure of his spirit that we may be equipped to do every good work which the father has prepared for us. This begins as in the case of Paul with a clear and definite encounter with the Lord Jesus, then surrendering completely our passions, will and emotions to his divine will. 

Therefore in verse 2 we read from the NIV "be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love". He knows we can do this because everything we need for life and godliness has been given to us ( 2 Peter 1:3). These four qualities are the hallmarks of the early believers. They were truly humble and gentle. In love they make excuses for one another. Hence peace reigned both in their family lives and in the congregations.  Without going too far, let us each examine ourselves.  Ask yourself how humble am I? How gentle, considerate, peaceful and compassionate am I towards all men especially to those of the household of faith? 

We make the mistake of thinking that spiritual maturity is the manifestation of several gifts of the holy spirit. However, the sad news is that you may have the gifts without having the giver. The giver of these gifts when you allow him in, he sets your life upside right. He is the one who transforms you from inside out. ( See Romans 12:1-2). He takes out the dross and makes the silver in you shine forth. The natural and offensive overflow of sin and selfishness is cut off only when we cooperate with the holy spirit and give him chance to change us. 

Many believers who speak and pray in tongues, preach, evangelize, cast out demons and perform many miracles are still carrying the natural baggage of the flesh life. We're still quarrelsome, argumentative, hot tempered and immature. Accepting Jesus is the first step. Being transformed by the renewing of our minds is the on going journey of true spirituality that will never end until our lives here are over. This is what Paul wants us to do. More so,  In 2 Peter 1:5-8, it says "to your faith add virtue to virtue add knowledge, to knowledge self control...for if these things be in you then you shall not be barren or unfruitful in your knowledge of Christ.  Our character is the first epistle people read before reading our messages.

So what? We keep getting better and better as we keep looking into the mirror of his word. By observing what he does and following in his footsteps. He makes us one with him in the unity of the holy spirit. This is the beauty of the christian life- the dwelling together in peace of the children of God. When we have developed patience, humility, gentleness, compassion and love we won't be quarrelsome nor easily provoked. We will not be irked by every misdemeanor or disappointment. Rather in love we forbear. In humility we prefer others to ourselves. In compassion we empathize and patiently we persevere until Jesus returns.