Walk the Talk
Today’s Verse:
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, ~Ephesians 4:1
In the first century, most of the travel that people did was by foot, or by walking. They did not have the advanced transportation capabilities as we have. It was not unusual for a man to walk 4-8 hours per day or up to 30 miles if he walked an entire day to get to a different location. Walking is good for your health. Walking is the most basic health exercise all of us can do. Walking should be an exercise, enjoyable, and for endurance. “Walk” is used to describe our spiritual direction and progress. Paul uses the word “walk” eight times in Ephesians to emphasize that we must “walk the talk.”
We see the service.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” The good works Paul is referring to is our serving the Lord. Good works are not a requirement for salvation, but they are for our sanctification. After we get saved, there should be a desire to serve God and others. This includes being helpful, volunteering, and going the extra mile.
We see the separation.
“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” We are commanded not to walk as did before we were saved. We are to distance ourselves from the unfruitful works of darkness: lustful desires, evil speaking, filthy jesting, and all works of darkness. Walking as children of light means that we will demonstrate goodness, righteousness, and truth. We must stay away from associations that can be defiling. The best way to avoid darkness is to stay in the light.
We see the sacrifice.
“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” Walking in love is our best offense against bitterness, anger, wrath, evil speaking, unforgiveness, and unkindness. It is how we overcome being selfish, self-centered, and self-absorbed. It’s loving people just like Jesus does: it’s loving the unlovable. It means we are unconditional in our forgiveness and sacrifice. It’s tough love in practice. It’s living the crucified life, ready to give yourself instead of seeking for yourself. It is letting the love of Christ flow through you.
We see the circumspect.
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.” This means walking with wisdom, prudence, carefulness, and vigilance. The context of this verse is that we live in anticipation that the Lord could come at any moment. It requires that we buy up the opportunities before us and understand what the will of the Lord is. It emphasizes a life filled with the Spirit.
We see the satisfying.
“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” Walk worthy means that we are living out our testimony as pleasing and acceptable to God. It is glorifying God in our doctrine, devotion, development, and decisions. Stay on the beaten path that God established for us through His Word. Do what you say, and speak what you will do. Walk forward and not backward. Walk towards the Lord and not away from the Lord. Walk worthy of the calling of God.
Have a profitable God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Kings 15-17