(1) Paul a Prisoner and a Slave of Christ. Sons of God are Servants of God (see comment).
(2) God's Calling is an Invitation (see comment).
(3) Traits that are Worthy of God's Calling. (see comment).
POINT #1
POINT 1
CALLED TO BE PRISONERS AND SLAVES OF CHRIST...
Ephesians 4:1
(1) I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
Notice, Paul refers to himself as a PRISONER. In fact, some translations actually give the impression that he was referring to his actual experience as a religious/political prisoner. However, he was pointing to his spiritual relationship with Christ; he was Christ's prisoner. Paul had also referred to himself as THE PRISONER OF JESUS CHRIST in 3:1. It is good for us to realize our station in life and especially as we relate to God. Paul sometimes presented himself as the servant or slave of Jesus Christ.
It is not unusual to hear people say that we are not slaves or servants, but sons of God. It is true that believers are children of God, but it is also true that we are slaves as well. Those who downplay the servant status of believers refer to Galatians 4:7.
Galatians 4:7
(7) Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
However, this passage does not say that we are no longer slaves or servants of God. It says we are not slaves to the law, to the old system, to Judaism. Read this passage in context. I will emphasize portions and add DLG notes...
Galatians 4:1-7
(1) Now I say, THAT THE HEIR, AS LONG AS HE IS A CHILD, DIFFERS NOTHING FROM A SERVANT, THOUGH HE BE LORD OF ALL;
(2) But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
(3) EVEN SO WE, WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN, WERE IN BONDAGE UNDER THE ELEMENTS OF THE WORLD:
DLG notes...
This passage is addressing the bondage of the Jews to the Jewish law.
(4) But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
(5) TO REDEEM THEM THAT WERE UNDER THE LAW, THAT WE MIGHT RECEIVE THE ADOPTION OF SONS.
POINT #1
POINT 1
CALLED TO BE PRISONERS AND SLAVES OF CHRIST...
Ephesians 4:1
(1) I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
Notice, Paul refers to himself as a PRISONER. In fact, some translations actually give the impression that he was referring to his actual experience as a religious/political prisoner. However, he was pointing to his spiritual relationship with Christ; he was Christ's prisoner. Paul had also referred to himself as THE PRISONER OF JESUS CHRIST in 3:1. It is good for us to realize our station in life and especially as we relate to God. Paul sometimes presented himself as the servant or slave of Jesus Christ.
It is not unusual to hear people say that we are not slaves or servants, but sons of God. It is true that believers are children of God, but it is also true that we are slaves as well. Those who downplay the servant status of believers refer to Galatians 4:7.
Galatians 4:7
(7) Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
However, this passage does not say that we are no longer slaves or servants of God. It says we are not slaves to the law, to the old system, to Judaism. Read this passage in context. I will emphasize portions and add DLG notes...
Galatians 4:1-7
(1) Now I say, THAT THE HEIR, AS LONG AS HE IS A CHILD, DIFFERS NOTHING FROM A SERVANT, THOUGH HE BE LORD OF ALL;
(2) But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
(3) EVEN SO WE, WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN, WERE IN BONDAGE UNDER THE ELEMENTS OF THE WORLD:
DLG notes...
This passage is addressing the bondage of the Jews to the Jewish law.
(4) But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
(5) TO REDEEM THEM THAT WERE UNDER THE LAW, THAT WE MIGHT RECEIVE THE ADOPTION OF SONS.
DLG notes...
This verse makes it clear that God has saved His people from being slaves to the law of Moses and made them children of God.
(6) AND BECAUSE YE ARE SONS, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
(7) WHEREFORE THOU ART NO MORE A SERVANT, BUT A SON; AND IF A SON, THEN AN HEIR OF GOD THROUGH CHRIST.
DLG notes...
Now we see the meaning of the passage. There is nothing demeaning about being a slave of Jesus Christ. We do not cease being SLAVES because we are SONS.
This applies to the following idea.
Ephesians 4:1
(1) I... beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
A proper view of living the Christian life is based in a proper view of the nature of being a Christian.
THE WAY UP, IS DOWN...
1 Peter 5:6
(6) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE AS A SERVANT, SLAVE (doulos Greek word...1401 Strongs NT listing).
GREATNESS THROUGH SERVICE (Strongs 1249)...
Matthew 23:11-12
(11) But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
(12) And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Mark 9:35 (S 1249)
(35) And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
Mark 10:43-44 (S1249; S1401)
(43) But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
(44) And whosoever of you will be the chiefest shall be servant of all.
Romans 12:3
(3) For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
PAUL SAW HIMSELF AS A SLAVE...
Romans 1:1 (S 1401)
(1) Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Titus 1:1 (S 1401)
(1) Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
JAMES SAW HIMSELF AS A SLAVE...
James 1:1 (S 1401)
(1) James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
CHRIST SAW HIMSELF AS A SERVANT...
Mark 10:45 (S 1247)
(45) For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Philippians 2:5-8 (vs. 7 S 1401)
(5) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
(6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
(7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
(8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
POINT 2
A CALLING IS AN INVITATION...
Ephesians 4:1
(1) I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation (calling, invitation) wherewith ye are called,
The Greek word translated in this place as VOCATION (calling in other translations) is always translated as CALLING in the KJV, and so it should be translated here. But what is meant by “our CALLING?” Another translation of this Greek word is INVITATION. This makes all of those passages easier to understand. Walk worthy of your INVITATION, with which you have been INVITED.
This passage should not be understood as a ministry calling, such as “Called to be a preacher,” rather it is God CALLING us, INVITING US to Himself.
It is an INVITATION, not a unilateral, unconditional command that is forced on anyone. We are INVITED to come to Christ and God enables us to accept the INVITATION. He does not need to enable anyone to reject Him, since we are all inclined to reject Him, but He enables all to accept, thus making it possible to either accept or reject, without violating His sovereignty or our God given free will. God INVITES us and we decide if we will or will not walk in a way that is worthy of His invitation. It is possible and it is expected that those who follow Christ will behave in a way that is WORTHY of the INVITATION.
God said, through Paul, I...BESEECH... you walk worthy...” (I INVITE, ENTREAT, EXHORT, INVOKE you). It is a call to make a deliberate choice. I invite (entreat) you to behave in a way that is worthy of God's INVITATION by which you have been INVITED. We are enabled to accept the invitation and we are enabled to walk in a manner that is appropriate to the invitation.
POINT 3
TRAITS WORTHY OF GOD'S INVITATION...
Ephesians 4:2
(2) With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
A. Lowliness (S 5012) Our Realization of Our Own Worth...
Romans 12:3
(3) For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Serving God with Humility
Acts 20:19
(19) Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
Serving Others with Humility
Philippians 2:3
(3) Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Securing Grace Through Humility
James 4:6-10
(6) But he gives more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble.
(7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
(8) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
(9) Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
(10) Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
B. Meekness (S 4236) The Response to Abuse and Persecution....
Attitude of a Spiritual Ruler
1 Corinthians 4:21
(21) What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:23
(23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Attitude of a Helper
Galatians 6:1
(1) Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Daily Pursuit of the Man of God
1 Timothy 6:11
(11) But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
The Attitude of a Servant of God
2 Timothy 2:24-26
(24) And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
(25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
(26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Attitude of a Learner
James 1:21
(21) Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Attitude of the Wise
James 3:13
(13) Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
Attitude of Spiritual Beauty
1 Peter 3:4
(4) But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
Attitude of a Witness
1 Peter 3:15
(15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
C. Longsuffering (S 3115) Our Response to Other People's Foibles
God Was Longsuffering Toward Us
Romans 2:4
(4) Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leads thee to repentance?
Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22
(22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Attends Preaching
2 Timothy 4:2
(2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Offers Salvation
2 Peter 3:9
(9) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
