FOLLOWING THE CALL
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with another in love.
Ephesians 4:1-2 (NIV)
In Ephesians, Paul emphasizes the importance of following our calling in life. In this passage, he reminds us that we have been called—but also that we have a choice in whether we respond.
Paul uses the word urge (while other translations say beg), which is significant. He doesn't command us; instead, he appeals to us. This highlights that, sadly, not everyone will choose to follow God's calling. The word then (or therefore) signals that this calling is not just something to understand, but something to live out as part of our relationship with Jesus.
The verse goes on to encourage us to be completely humble, gentle, patient, and to bear with one another in love. That is certainly a challenge. Notably, humility is listed first. If we can truly be humble, we remain teachable—and from that posture, the other qualities can grow.
Here's a practical example. Imagine your phone rings, and you see the name on the screen—do you hesitate, take a deep breath, and silence the call?
It might be a brother or sister who simply needs someone to listen to them. And yes, from experience, those calls can come often, feel tedious or even repetitive. They can stretch us and challenge us. But more importantly, they help shape us into the kind of people Paul encourages us to be. So often, people don't need advice—they just need someone present. Today, let's choose to be worthy of our calling: to bear with one another in steadfast love and grow in unity together.
APPLICATION: How do you define humble? What do you consider gentle? Match those against what Jesus says they look like. Do they match the call He gave you? Urge yourself to seek God to grow you in those areas.
PRAYER: Father, O how we fall short so often. Create in me an awareness of the call You have made before me and help me to live that out in all I do and speak concerning others. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?