THEREFORE...

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, --Ephesians 4:1


In Ephesians Chapters 1-3 the Apostle Paul speaks of the incredible blessings and privileges we have as children of God...as believers.  This is our "high" position in Christ.  As is Paul's custom he switches gears with a "therefore".  He is finished discussing doctrine and is now going on to duty.  Doctrine is the basis for duty...it is the why of our doing. Therefore...or because we have been given such great and precious privileges we are to desire out of love and affection for our God to walk just as He walked. 


I have not only been created by God but I have been bought with the price of the precious blood of His Son.  I am now a slave not to sin which leads to death and eternal separation from my God but to righteousness which leads to life and an eternity with my Father in Heaven.  Paul beseeches (begs) his brethren here to walk worthy of the calling with which they have been called.  John MacArthur says that we have a high calling that demands a low walk. I. LOVE. THAT.  Jesus was humble, meek, lowly, gentle, patient, forgiving and kind and He Himself is our peace.  In Him we are united in one body with others of like and precious faith.   Our lives should reflect the life and character of our Father!  No longer do we live for the praises of men but the praises of God!  Beloved, our salvation should look like something!  Because of all the kindness we have received in Christ Jesus we are to conform to our God's standards...we are to become like Him.  We are to walk worthy!


For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—1 Peter 2:15


Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,--Philippians 1:27


Before we get into the qualities that Paul says characterize the worthy walk, let's remind ourselves of all we have been given in Christ. (All that comes before Paul's therefore)  In listing them I am going to be using the first person...as you read substitute yourself in the "I" position.  


Ephesians 1:4 I have been chosen in Him before the foundation of the world.
Ephesians 1:5  I have been predestined in love and adopted as His beloved daughter.
Ephesians 1:6  I am made to the praise of His glory and am accepted in my beloved Jesus! 
Ephesians 1:7  I have been provided with redemption and forgiveness.
Ephesians 1:8  I have been given the wisdom of my God!
Ephesians 1:9  He has made known to me, the mystery of His will.
Ephesians 1:10-11  I have an inheritance that He planned for me from before the foundation of the world. 
Ephesians 1:13  I have been given His Holy Spirit who dwells in me!  I have been sealed with His Spirit who is the guarantee of my inheritance.


and that was just chapter 1 and that list is not exhaustive...on to chapter 2...


Ephesians 2:1 I have been made alive...me who was spiritually dead, a child of wrath headed for hell...He has made alive
Ephesians 2:6  I have not only been made alive, but I have been raised up together with jesus and now sit with Him at the right hand of the throne of my God.
Ephesians 2:8-10  I am His workmanship...and my salvation is His free gift...nothing but belief and acceptance required.  I have been brought near by the precious blood of His Son. 
Ephesians 2:13-15  I have been made into one new man with Christ.


On to Chapter 3:


Ephesians 3:3-6  I have been united with both Jew and Gentile by the gosepl in the church.
Ephesians 3:17-18  He strengthens me with His Spirit so Christ's love can root and ground in my heart and i can be filled with His unfathomable love!
Ephesians 3:19:  I (ME!!) can be filled with the fullness of God!!! 
Ephesians 3:20:  I LOVE THIS LAST ONE a lot...I can know His power in my life!  


I, therefore, urge you, my daughters, in full agreement with Paul, to walk worthy of the calling with which you have been called!