“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner
worthy of the calling with which you have been called.” - Ephesians 4:3
There can be no right living without right principles.
Imagine someone saying, “I have some extra money lying around. I think I’ll
send a large check to the government.” Absurd, isn’t it? But every year, honest
wage-earners fill out forms and give part of their income to the government.
Why? It’s not because they are generous but because there is a law— a
doctrine—that says they have to.
Unless people know the reason for what they should do, it’s unlikely they’ll
make a commitment to do it. Paul understood that, so he always taught doctrine
before duty. “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.
~JM, Strength For Today
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