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Divine Resources for Walking Worthy - Devotional
GracetoYou.org ^ | 2001 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

Posted on 01/07/2021 6:16:51 AM PST by metmom

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called” (Ephesians 4:1).

A worthy lifestyle is possible only by depending on God’s resources.

Walking is often used in Scripture as a symbol of the Christian life. It is simply a reference to your daily conduct or lifestyle—a day-by-day, step-by-step commitment to follow Christ. As Christians we “walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4). John wrote, “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments” (2 John 6). Paul said to walk in good works (Eph. 2:10) and to please God in our walk before Him (1 Thess. 4:1).

In Ephesians 4:1 Paul is saying, “Let your lifestyle be worthy of the calling to which you are called.”

You may ask, “Is it possible to walk this way?” Yes, but only on this basis: you must devote yourself to be strengthened with the power of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 3:16), Christ’s Word must dwell in your heart, His love must penetrate your life (vv. 17-19), and you must be “filled up to all the fulness of God” (v. 19), who “is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (v. 20). We must live by the resources God has given us to walk the worthy walk. We’ll never do it by just knowing the theology and then trying really hard.

Are you trying to live as a Christian without prayer, without studying the Bible, or even without giving much thought to Christ except on Sunday? Are you trying to be righteous without relying on the Holy Spirit? If you are, you will be frustrated in your efforts. You must commit every day and every moment to the Lord, trusting in His strength. Besides, why would you want to live on your own power when you can live by the power of God?

Suggestions for Prayer

Thank God for giving you the Holy Spirit, who gives you the power to walk worthy before Him and others. Pray each day that the Holy Spirit will strengthen you to live in a way that pleases God.

For Further Study

Read Galatians 5:16-25.

From your understanding of today’s study, what does it mean to “walk by the Spirit”? What does walking by the Spirit protect you from?


TOPICS: Evangelical Christian; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: gty

1 posted on 01/07/2021 6:16:51 AM PST by metmom
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To: Alex Murphy; boatbums; CynicalBear; daniel1212; ealgeone; Elsie; Gamecock; HossB86; Iscool; ...

Studying God’s Word ping


2 posted on 01/07/2021 6:17:11 AM PST by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.....)
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To: metmom

Another good one, Metmom.

After being saved, some have to learn the hard way by repeatedly doing what doesn’t work: trying to walk the walk on their own. (Don’t look at me!)

Thanks, Metmom, and have a very blessed day!

P.S. It doesn’t work, by the way. ;-)


3 posted on 01/07/2021 6:25:18 AM PST by SouthernClaire (God Bless America)
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To: metmom

If the fullness of Jesus dwells in us how do we add to that? If the fullness of Jesus dwells in us what can we do to make us more righteous before God? If Jesus paid for all sins as the final blood sacrifice on the cross, which of our sins will be counted against us by God?
If the fullness of Christ dwells in us what can we do to make it more? You are teaching a gospel of our willpower instead of his power.
Failure to grow and use the power of God that dwells in you will determine your circumstances here on earth, but it will never change your position as the bride of Christ. To believe that would mean his work on the cross wasn’t complete.
Ephesians 4:1-14 tells us to live a life worthy of what we’ve received (you can’t obtain something you’ve already received) and to mature in “faith,” not works, so as
to mature to the fullest. You’ve received it. Jesus dwells with you. The kingdom is within you. You are the Ark of the covenant. The final and perfect sacrifice dwells in you.
As Jesus warned: they searched the scriptures thinking the scriptures is where they would find eternal life. Eternal life dwells in all who believe in his name. Stop looking and begin to rest and mature in the peace he has given you.


4 posted on 01/07/2021 5:58:35 PM PST by Joshua (Keep paying attention to the shiny orb!)
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