"BALANCE"

"I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,"

Ephesians 4:1

Epistles like the Book of Ephesians were written so we know doctrine first, then be able to apply biblical principles in practical terms.

The first three chapters of Paul's letter to the Ephesians include a body of teachings concerning God's declaration of our spiritual wealth based on Christ's achievements. We have every spiritual resource to succeed in our daily Christian walk (conduct). On the other hand, the final three chapters present practical applications of Paul's teachings in the previous chapters.

In chapter 4, Paul applies the doctrines he taught in chapters 1-3. He reminds his readers of his current condition, under house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:30-31). His dedication to proclaiming Jesus as the Savior ultimately led to his imprisonment and martyrdom.

The Apostle urges the Ephesians to live a life worthy of their calling. The word "worthy" comes from the Greek "axios," which means "equal weight." This means that a believer's calling and conduct must be in balance. The word "calling" refers to both a believer's salvation and his part in the church. In other words, our behavior affects not only ourselves but also other believers. We have a responsibility to watch our words and actions and ensure they match God's declarations about us.

Our salvation comes with the responsibility of representing Christ to the world. We have the wonderful privilege of proclaiming the promises of Christ to a world that doesn’t know Him. But more than just being His voices, we are also called to demonstrate His character. As such, we need to know who Jesus is and what He does. We have to possess that balance to effectively reflect Christ and all He stands for.

Pursue the Savior today!