“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Ephesians 4:1 NIV

In my previous excerpt on ‘are you ready for ministry’, I discussed the revelation of what Paul states he went through for the gospel and how although we are certainly blessed immeasurably, we also face trials. In a similar manner, another aspect of this walk in Christ is in relation to our character in public and in private. Paul states in Ephesians 4:1, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received”. Living a life worthy of the calling means that there are daily practices that one must incorporate so that integrity and honesty may reign in your life. Obviously this cannot be done by means of the flesh but only by the spirit. 

You cannot say one thing and then behind closed doors you are not living in that same manner (that’s hypocrisy). You cannot compromise your values and beliefs to suit your agenda, there needs to be consistency and an eagerness to hold fast to the principles of the word and conduct ourselves in an honourable way. At some point in your walk with Christ, you have to make an active decision to correct lifestyles that may be culturally acceptable but not biblical permissible. 

In terms of actually fulfilling the call, Paul mentions elements of a biblical criteria for the people in service:

• “Be completely humble
• And gentle;
• Be patient,
• Bearing with one another in love.
• Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:2-3. 

So, when you say yes to Jesus, there will be some things you need to give up that your role is unquestionably upright. In the rest of Ephesians chapter 4, there are other elements mentioned to support the believer in knowing what a good example of a life worthy of the call is and in Philippians 1:27 it is further reinforced. “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel” Philippians 1:27 NIV This means there needs to be a direct correlation between our declaration of Christ and how we live our lives. 

How will we win souls if our lives do not reflect Christ? Wouldn’t doing the opposite cause our faith and beliefs into question, especially by the unbelievers? So, although we come to the saviour as a mess we must leave as one who is transformed into His image that we are enabled to expand the kingdom of God.

A question beneficial for growth in Christ is, am I living worthy of the call, in behaviour, attitudes, beliefs, values, deeds, character, appearance and practices?