September 8, 2025 -- Ephesians 4:1 -- Walking as one who is devoted to Jesus

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~hear and obey Jesus!

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 ESV
 
The main thrust of this command is to walk (that is to act and talk) in a manner worthy of your calling. Since you profess Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life, your calling is to obey Him in everything. Sometimes, when I am speaking with Christians, they will ask me if an activity is okay. They know they’re looking to get away with something rather than going as far as possible into devoted service to Jesus. Imagine this, you are married. You profess to love your wife, you say to her, “Sweetheart, full disclosure, when we’re at the beach, I am going to ogle other women. Don’t be offended. It is not like I am going to do anything but stare.” If you are dumb enough to say this to your wife, I hope there aren’t any frying pans handy. No doubt you’ll get a swing upside the head. It is unacceptable behaviour. You know it.
 
When a believer claims Jesus as His Savior and King, he vows he will be devoted to Him, as devoted as a man in love with his wife is devoted to her. Sure, there are moments, maybe even days, when a husband is irritated with his wife, but he knows to act on his irritation rather than on his confession of love for her will cause additional harms and problems. It is the reason Ephesians depicts the Church as the Bride of Christ. As a bride devotes herself to her husband, so lovingly and intentionally do believers devote themselves to Jesus.
 
Glorious God, You are the faithful Father and the source of all good in our lives. Help us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling so that we do not seek compromises or technicalities by which we might try to justify our ogling of sinful ways. By Your Spirit’s powerful presence within, stir in us both the desire and strength to honour Jesus in our thoughts, words and actions. As we live out loud for Jesus, may others be drawn to the light of Christ that shines from us. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/e5Hy_eRmjqo?si=Kwe8QgNgW7AEx_l1 Be Thou My Vision
 

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