Right Living

Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, exhort you to live in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called: 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love, 3 being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; Ephesians 4:1-3

Right principles for Right living ~ I've said it before & I'll say it again - we MUST STUDY God's Word...not just have a "quiet time" and read one verse or a couple of verses.  We need to TAKE TIME to DIG into His Word to thoroughly understand what it is saying & what we are do and not "get carried off by every wind of doctrine" which is what happens when we are not fully cognizant of what God's Word is actually saying.

Paul understood that unless people know the reason for what they should do, it’s unlikely they’ll make a commitment to do it so he always taught doctrine before duty. For example, every year we have to fill out income tax forms and give part of our $ to the gov't.  Why? cuz we want to? I don't think so! lol! We do it because there is a law [or could I say, a doctrine?] that says we have to!

“Therefore” in Ephesians 4:1 links the doctrine of chapters 1—3 to the duty of chapters 4—6. Doctrine and duty are inseparably linked; duty always flows out of doctrine. Right living is based on right principles. Paul told the Colossian church, “We have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (1:9). For what purpose? “So that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord” (v. 10). Spiritual knowledge, wisdom, and understanding make up the pathway of a worthy walk. 

When pastors teach duty without teaching doctrine, they weaken the Word of God because they’ve eliminated the motive. They may be able to stir up emotions, but that brings no long-term commitment. The pastor’s responsibility is to teach the truth of God, and the hearer’s responsibility is to obey it.

Of course, the source of God’s truth is His Word: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Knowing the Bible well is our means of equipping ourselves for a righteous life.

As we think about our worthy walk, let’s avoid emotionalism and legalism, and instead focus on living what we learn from a thorough and personal study of God’s Word.

If you have neglected studying the Bible, confess that to God, and ask Him to give you a greater desire to learn His Word.

Read Ephesians 1—3 and list all we are or have in Christ. Knowing what God has given you, can you do any less than commit yourself to Him completely?