Q1. A Life Worthy of Your Calling

[wilma m]

Q1. (Ephesians 4:1) What does "living a life worthy of your calling" in 4:1 have to do with maintaining unity in the Church in verses 2-6? What is "worthy" about unity? What is "worthy" about separation from fellow Christians? What is our "calling"? Exposition

Our calling is to be united in one body of Christ in the world.There are different parts in one body, all with different functions, but when one part is dismembered it cannot function anymore and the body is not whole anymore. Even though we may have differences in our interpretations of the Bible and differences in culture, we serve and love the same Jesus who died on the cross.Jesus should be glorified in our lives. As christians we should only be separated from fellow christians if they live in sin and do not repent and bring shame on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[Jeff@qlbc]

I believe the heart of the Gospel is contained in John 3:16. If we can agree on that, we mantain the unity of the faith. We may differ in the way we celebrate our faith, but our proclamation that God loved us so much that He gave the life of His Son in order that we may be saved by placing our trust in Him is our common call.

[anne1151]

Q1. (Ephesians 4:1) What does "living a life worthy of your calling" in 4:1 have to do with maintaining unity in the Church in verses 2-6?

To follow Jesus, we must obey Him and try to live as He would have us live, loving, kind, humbly, with patience and not being judgemental. We must work at establishing and maintaining unity in our own church to prevent discord and possible breaking apart into segments in our church.

What is "worthy" about unity?

Unity is what Jesus wants for His people. He wanted gentiles and jews to live togeather, work togeather, and be saved by His blood togeather. Worship togeather

What is "worthy" about separation from fellow Christians?

I can't see worthiness i separation from our fellow Christians. We need them to help us when we falter, encourage us when we are weak.

What is our "calling"?

Jesus called us to pick up our cross and follow Him. This is what we should do.

[Old Jerry]

If we are “living a life worthy of your calling” then we are maintaining the unity in the Church by attending to the things that God has called us to do. We are fitting into the part of the church that He has assigned us to.

The thing that is “worthy” about unity is that we are able to go forward even if we disagree because we are doing God’s work. I don’t think it is “worthy” about separating from fellow Christians. My calling is to fit into the part of the church that God has given me the ability to do.

[JoanG]

We must be true to the mission that God has put us on this earth to fulfill. However, we cannot fulfill this purpose without the love and support of other Christians. We must all strive to work as one to spread the word of Jesus and the love of God to all people, We must all work as one to unify the Church. There must be a show of inclusiveness that has not been known before. Our calling is to show the world the true love of God and the true meaning of salvation.

[WinstonY]

Q1. (Ephesians 4:1) What does "living a life worthy of your calling" in 4:1 have to do with maintaining unity in the Church in verses 2-6? What is "worthy" about unity? What is "worthy" about separation from fellow Christians? What is our "calling"?

 

Unity of the church can be considered as making every effort to do our part in keeping the church family together in God's love. Unity is a state of being in harmony and accord. (Notes)  It then is our calling from the Lord to work for unity not only in our congregation but also to seek unity with the whole Christian family- "Christian practices vary from one culture to another, from one tradition to another. We may not agree with another's interpretation, but we refuse to make "disputable matters" a test of fellowship. We strive even more diligently to maintain the unity of the Spirit. We are told to "Accept one another ... just as Christ has accepted you, in order to bring praise to God" (Romans 15:7)." (notes) The notes continue "However, there is a universal sense, too, that can't be dismissed. If all humankind is created in God's image (Genesis 1:27), then there is a sense in which his image is in us and upon us all. Certainly, Ephesians 3:14-15 sees the Father in a universal light, "from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name" (NRSV). There is also a sense in which all humans are God's children, as Paul explained to the Athenians when describing the "unknown God" (Acts 17:28). Moreover, Christ is the unifying focus of the universe (Ephesians 1:10) he created (John 1:3, 10; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2)." 

Now the best way to enable this unity of Spirit in Christ  is to follow our calling to Love the Lord our God and our neighbour as ourselves. In verse 2 we are told to be humble, and gentle, patient and love one another. We do not always exhibit these attributes in our world today and Christians have hated and killed their follows over doctrine when all Christ asks us is to love one another. If we cannot love our brother who we have seen how are we able to love those who we have not seen?

         Our calling then is to love one another.

 

The Greek word axiOs is translated worthy which itself has a definition - deserving effort, attention, or respect. Paul speaks here of the unity of the Holy Spirit(notes)  If we do not respect the respect the dignity of the unity of the Holy Spirit we grieve against the Spirit.(notes) A grievous sin.  Although the Spirit is the author of the unity in Christ Christians are called upon to keep that unity. This unity can only be kept by the peace and love that is granted by the Holy spirit.

[Paul Irving]

On 5/15/2003 at 7:17 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (Ephesians 4:1) What does "living a life worthy of your calling" in 4:1 have to do with maintaining unity in the Church in verses 2-6? What is "worthy" about unity? What is "worthy" about separation from fellow Christians? What is our "calling"? Exposition

To be obedient all of the times to the Lord God in doing all of the commandments.  If you are obedient to Him then He will direct your path to the vocation He has called you to.  Unity of the Spirit in peace and using the various gifts God has given all of His children.  Be lowly and meekly loving one another.   You are worthy by Jesus Christ dying on the cross for the life of all believers.  Separate yourself from Christians who don’t really follow all of the doctrines of God.  Who give into the lusts of the flesh, flee fornication.  My calling at least I think is to be a pastor in a Church or an Evangelist.

[Siphoñ]

When a person called by God live a holy life and do what God has called him to do,by that he glorified the works of our Lord.By living a  worthy holy life it brings stability and unity in the church and the church also grows spiritually. Jesus himself said to John10:30 Him and his father  are one so it is important even to church to bring oneness or unity.Our God is not the author of confusion he is the God of peace or of unity so seperation doesn't come from God but from Satan so seperation is not worthy from  fellow Christians. Calling is when God speaks to that person only and instruct him what to do in his church.Maybe he give him the gift of the Holy Spirit in the church according to his will.