Freedom is Good News Part 138

We have been on the subject of “walking with God” and we have seen that God desires those who would walk humbly with Him – this being a quote from the Prophet Micah.  It is interesting that we find a very similar statement from the apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians. 

In this letter, Paul goes much further in his admonition to the Church.  Let’s take a look!  Ephesians 4:1 reads, “Therefore, as a prisoner for the Lord, I urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received.”  So far so good; we are to have a walk with God.  But it is interesting how Paul introduces us to the concept; Paul tells us that he is a prisoner of the Lord.  This is no throwaway line of fake humility on Paul’s part.  Paul wrote this letter while in prison in Rome!  Some translators use the word “for” in this line.  Paul considered himself to be in prison “for the Lord” – he was incarcerated because of his belief in Jesus Christ.  I have never been in prison “for the Lord” but I can only imagine, it must have been a humbling experience for Paul.

The next thing we see is that he is “urging” us to walk worthy.  This is a strong word; Paul is imploring or exhorting us to walk worthy, not just suggesting.  But what does it mean to “walk worthy”?  What is this worthy walk we are urged to take?  What does it consist of?

Let’s read on:  Verse 2, “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.”  This is what Paul means by the words “worthy walk”!

First let’s notice the word “humble”.  Since Paul and Micah are together in this, it must be an important concept.  But they are not alone.  Peter and James use it also.  In James 4:6 we read, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  And in 1 Peter 5:5 we see, “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.”

God desires His children to walk humbly.  This is but one of God’s many great attributes and if we walk with a humble God, we too must be humble.  To quote the author, Jerry Bridges, “Humility is the soil in which all of the other traits of the fruit of the Spirit grow.”  The problem with humility is that when we claim to be humble, we lose the humility!!  Our ego and our vanity get the best of us in that case. 

One great tool that God has given us so as to attain to humility is fasting.  Ezra 8:1 tells us this, “I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God.”  King David tells us in Psalm 69:10, “I wept and humbled my soul with fasting.”  This is not an easy tool but the bible tells us that it is effective. 

Oh, there is so much more to this “worthy walk” with God.  Shall we consider it next time?