Ephesians 4 "I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called." 

Paul paints a very clear picture of a life lived in a manner worthy of our calling as the chosen, adopted, redeemed, and forgiven children of God:

A child of God will  have "humility and gentleness... patience, showing forbearance to one another in love... being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (v2-3) We are to speak the truth in love. (v15, 25)  We are to "be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." (v32) 

We are called to be the church of Jesus.. "one body.. one Spirit.. one hope.. one Lord.. one faith.. one baptism.. one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all." (v4-6) 

All of this is what He calls us to.. and what He equips us for.. giving each of us "grace.. according to the measure of Christ's gift.. " It is Christ who fills "all things".. who gives "apostles.. prophets.. evangelists, pastors, and teacher, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ." ( v11-12)  He does not leave us on our own.. but puts us into a community of brothers and sisters, so that we can help one another grow.. in faith.. in knowledge of Jesus.. and become one.. a whole body.. a completely united church that glorifies God. 

Paul likes to give us the contrasting picture of life without Christ.. that which we leave behind when we follow Him .. " no longer walk.. as the Gentiles.." the unbelievers do "in the futility of their mind."  Leave the darkness.. leave the hardness of heart.. leave the sensuality.. impurity.. and greed. Leave falsehoods.  Leave all the ways of  the "old self".  Leave anger that leads to sin; leave stealing and "unwholesome" words.. leave "bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander.. and malice". These characteristics are not worthy of our God and we must not allow them in our daily lives.  

But, He does not leave us on our own to accomplish what He desires.. for we have been "renewed" in our minds.. we have put on the "new self" which is like God in that He made us new creations.. " in righteousness and holiness of the truth."  And together with our fellow believers.. we grow up "to a mature man of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ." 

Father in heaven, Your plan for us is amazing and wonderful..and we are so thankful that You equip us and fill us and provide for us so that we can be all that You call us to be.  Have Your way in us today that we might walk that worthy walk to the glory of Your holy Name and to the praise of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Holy Spirit, sanctify us, fill us with the love and grace of our God.. in Jesus' name. Amen.