Walking Worthy of Your Calling: Unity in Christ
In a world that’s constantly pulling apart, God calls us to be bound together in Christ. The Apostle Paul makes a significant shift in Ephesians 4, moving from theological teaching to practical application. This transition is marked by that key word “therefore” – indicating that everything that follows is based on the foundational truths established in the first three chapters.
What Does It Mean to “Walk Worthy”?
Paul begins this section with a powerful admonition: “Therefore, I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called” (Ephesians 4:1).
The word “worthy” carries the idea of weight or equal value. Picture an old-fashioned scale – when something on one side is matched by equal weight on the other, they’re considered worthy of each other. Paul is saying that in light of the tremendous weight of all God has done for us, our walk (how we live our Christian life) should be of equivalent value.
Throughout Ephesians, Paul repeatedly uses this walking metaphor:
- “Walk worthy of your calling” (4:1)
- “No longer walk like the Gentiles walk” (4:17)
- “Walk in love” (5:2)
- “Walk as children of the light” (5:8)
- “Walk circumspectly” (5:15)
Just as doctors can determine much about your physical health by analyzing your gait, people can discern your spiritual health by observing your walk with Christ.
Four Characteristics of a Worthy Walk
Paul doesn’t leave us wondering what a worthy walk looks like. He outlines four specific attributes that should characterize our lives:
1. A Humble and Gentle Walk
“With all humility and gentleness…” (Ephesians 4:2)
These two attributes go hand-in-hand – gentleness is what humility looks like in the real world. These are the same qualities Jesus used to describe Himself: “I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). They’re “unostentatious virtues” – not drawing attention to ourselves but reflecting Christ’s character.
2. A Patient Walk
“With patience…” (Ephesians 4:2)
The Greek word used here is “makrothumea” – a combination of “macro” (large/long) and “thumea” (heat). It literally means to “endure long in the heat.” When difficult seasons come, when things grow weary, we don’t quit or turn back. We remain steadfast, just as God is “slow to anger” with us.
3. A Bearing-With-One-Another Walk
“Bearing with one another in love…” (Ephesians 4:2)
Even when we’re humble, gentle, and patient, we still need to be reminded to practice these virtues with fellow believers. Our relationships within the body of Christ should reflect Christ’s attitude in how we relate, fellowship, communicate, serve, and wait for one another.
4. A Purposeful Walk Toward Unity
“Being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)
Notice Paul’s language: “being diligent.” Unity doesn’t always come easily or naturally. It requires intentional effort. The same word is used in 2 Timothy 2:15: “Be diligent to show yourself approved…” Unity can be slippery – one disagreement, one misunderstanding, and what was once unified becomes divided.
The world loves to highlight disunity in the church. They may not report when people are saved or when the church serves the community, but let one thing happen that points to disunity, and suddenly it’s front-page news.
The Seven “Ones”: The Basis of Our Unity
1. One Body
Though we look different, think differently, have different gifts and backgrounds, we are drawn together as the church through our personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
2. One Spirit
There is one Holy Spirit by which we are called and through which we are empowered. This same Spirit fills all believers at salvation.
3. One Hope
We share one message that defines us – the hope found in Christ and salvation. There is no other hope, no other message, no other name by which we can be saved.
4. One Lord
While we may have many authorities in our lives (bosses, teachers, parents), we have one ultimate sovereign Lord – Jesus Christ.
5. One Faith
There is one means by which we enter into relationship with the Father – through faith in Jesus Christ. As Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
6. One Baptism
Paul refers not to the mode of baptism but to its meaning – the outward expression of an inward change that has taken place through our confession of faith.
7. One God and Father
Despite many in our world believing in multiple paths, Scripture teaches the exclusivity of our faith. There is one God and Father “who is over all and through all and in all.”
Life Application
The call to walk worthy of our calling challenges us to examine our character. Are we reflecting the unity that already exists in our one God? Are we being diligent to preserve unity in the body of Christ?
Like the young pianist who cared only about his teacher’s opinion, we must remember that ultimately there is only one opinion that matters – God’s. When Stephen was being stoned, he looked up and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God’s throne. While Jesus is typically described as seated in heaven, in that moment He stood – perhaps in recognition of Stephen’s faithful witness.
Questions to Consider:
- If your life were put “under further review,” would your character be upheld? Would people see that you are walking in Christ?
- In what areas might you need to grow in humility, gentleness, patience, or bearing with others?
- How diligently are you working to preserve unity in your church and relationships with other believers?
- Which of the “seven ones” do you need to embrace more fully in your life?
This week, commit to walking worthy of your calling by intentionally practicing these four attributes – especially in situations where unity is threatened. Remember that our unity is not based on our preferences or opinions, but on the unchanging truths of our one God.
