Walk Worthy
Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Ephesians 4:1-16. Paul, who considers himself a prisoner of the Lord, exhorts the Ephesians to walk worthy of the calling they have received. Why do you think Paul admonishes the Ephesians to do this? He says they should be humble, gentle, patient, and enduring with one another in love. He exhorts them to diligently try to keep the body of Christ united in the Holy Spirit, in peace.
Paul reminds them that there is one body, one Spirit, one hope of their calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, through all, and in us all. Everyone is given the gift of grace by the measure of Christ’s gift.
In Ephesians 4:8, where Paul says, “Christ ascended on high, led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men,” he is referring to Psalm 68:18 where the Scripture says, “Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.”
Paul says that, “He who descended is the same who ascended above the heavens, that He might fulfill all things. God gives different gifts to each believer; some are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.”
As Christians we are a part of the body of Christ, which is the church. God gave us each different gifts so that we would fit together to make one body. We are given these gifts in order to minister and equip the saints, and to build up the church. If we all had the same gifts then parts of the body would be missing. God chose who would have what gift so we might be unified in our faith and the knowledge of Jesus Christ. He wants us to become mature Christians and be filled with the presence, power, and riches of Christ.
First Corinthians 12:18-20 reminds us, “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body.”
Paul goes on to say we need to be mature in Christ so we are no more like children, who are easily deceived. As Christians we should know and speak the truth and grow in the knowledge of Christ, who is the head of the church. Christ has fit together the whole body of the church so we might work together to edify the body of Christ in love.
We need to study the Bible for ourselves in order to know the truth of the Word of God so people can’t deceive us. Paul warns us that there will be those who try to take advantage of us or lead us down the wrong path.
Daily Bible Reading:
Ephesians 4:1-16
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Thing to think about:
- What are some of the gifts God gives to fulfill the needs of the church?
- Why does Paul refer to the church as a “body?”
- What gifts has God given you to help further His kingdom?
Prayer of the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Ephesians where Paul encourages us to be united together in our faith of the Lord Jesus Christ. He tells us to love and be patient with one another. Help us to work together to bring about Your will in the life of the church today. Help us to encourage and lift up our fellow believers in Christ. Help us to use the gifts You have given us to further Your kingdom. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ precious and holy name, we pray. Amen.
Daily Bible Verse:
the vocation wherewith ye are called,
– Ephesians 4:1
Featured Book:
The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus
by Deborah H. Bateman
The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus is a Daily Bible Reading Study by Deborah H. Bateman. It is a study of the book of Ephesians from the New Testament of the Bible. Ephesians is one of the Apostle Paul’s letters, which was written to the church at Ephesus.
In the book of Ephesians Paul reminds us that we are chosen of God. He encourages us to walk in unity in the church. He talks about our various relationships including our relationship with Christ, with each other, the husband-wife relationship and others. He also exhorts us to put on the full armor of God so that we are clothed for battle against the enemy.
The Book of Ephesians: Paul’s Letter to the Church at Ephesus consists of twelve lessons, which can be used for an individual daily Bible study or a group Bible study. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day.
For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.
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Have a blessed day,
Deborah
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