The Christian Walk
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. Ephesians 4:1
Medical doctors tell us that walking is one of the best things anyone can do to maintain good physical health. Regular walking burns calories, strengthens hearts, lowers blood sugar, eases joint pain, boosts immune functions and energy, and strengthens the muscles and bones in our legs. Walking can and does enhance our physical lives in multiple ways!
It should not surprise us, then, to find that the Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of walking to encourage us to maintain good spiritual health. He writes: “Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called!” But what exactly does Paul have in mind?
The Bible tells us that God calls us to faith. His Holy Spirit leads us to repentance over sin and instills within us a trust in Jesus as our Savior from sin. In this way we are called into God’s kingdom and become His representatives in this world (2 Corinthians 5:20). By our faith, we also become members of His family—sons and daughters of our heavenly Father. But our calling goes far beyond just knowing of and trusting in Jesus. That is merely the beginning of what God has in mind for us. After all, Paul informs us that “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
The Bible urges us, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves,” (James 1:22) and then goes on to warn us that “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead!” (James 2:17) God calls us to a life of active and ongoing love and service—a life filled with good works that will both honor God and serve our neighbor. So let us get walking every day, for then our spiritual lives will be enhanced in multiple ways by God’s grace and with God’s blessing!
O LORD God, help us to walk in a worthy manner, so that in faith we actively honor Your saving name and serve all among whom we live. Amen.