The High Calling of God
Dr. Betty R. Price
Ephesians 4:1-3 says: "I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
We are called to be children of the Most High God and to walk worthy of that calling. Verse 2 says with all lowliness and gentleness. "Gentleness" is an emotional disposition that means, "to be balanced in spirit, unpretentious and in control". The word is best translated "meekness," which does not mean weakness. A lot of people think Christians are weak because the Bible tells us we are to be kind, gentle, and considerate. "Meekness" is not an indication of weakness, but rather of power and strength. The person who has this quality pardons injuries, corrects faults and rules his spirit well.
"Longsuffering" means "to be patient, have endurance, tolerant of others, putting up with, standing firm and not losing courage under pressure." We all have opportunities to exercise longsuffering. If you are walking as a Christian, you are going to have to exercise patience. Because you are going to be under attack from the enemy all the time, but God's Word says that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).
Learn to walk in your calling of sonship by putting on the "New Man."
Ephesians 4:21-24: "if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus; that you put off concerning your former conduct the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness."
So you see we are told we have to put on this new man. "Holiness" means "sacred, pure, blameless, consecrated, separated, God-like, God's innermost nature, set apart for God, reserved for God and His service." We have to develop these virtues as children of God. God is not going to live the life for us. He has called us to this life, and He has given us the wherewithal to live the victorious overcoming lifestyle, but we have to live it by putting on the new man and taking off the old man.
In walking in our sonship, we are called to be an example of Jesus Christ. What did Jesus do? He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil (Acts 10:38). If you are oppressed and mean or doing evil, you can't be an example of Jesus to the world. You have to take control of your body and your mind. The following verses tell us the things we need to do to take off the old man.
Ephesians 4:25- 32 says,
25 Therefore, putting away lying.... [Too many Christians still tell lies. They act like God doesn't see or hear them.] "...Let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another." 26 Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. [The devil cannot have a place unless we give him a place.] 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
If you don't have anything good to say, you shouldn't say anything, particularly if it is not going to impart grace to the hearers. There are too many Christians who can't wait to let evil words about others come out of their mouth.
We need to practice Ephesians 4:25-29 diligently if we want to receive God's blessings. And, even though we may have opposition to doing what is right, we can look through the opposition and see the victorious life that God has provided for us in Christ Jesus.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
So the instructions or commands in Ephesians 4:25-32 is the Christian's responsibility. That is putting on the new man and that is walking in the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
This devotional was excerpted from Dr. Betty's teaching at a New York Wisdom From Above luncheon. Please call us at (800) 927-3436 or visit our website: [email protected] for a complete list of her products.
Dr. Betty R. Price plays a vital role in her husband Dr. Frederick K.C. Price's ministry, as well as in the operation of the Crenshaw Christian Center as well as the Fellowship of Inner-City Word of Faith Ministries. She and Dr. Fred Price travel extensively all over the world, ministering the uncompromising Word of God. Dr. Betty also shares her personal testimony, along with the Word, with women’s groups and organizations. Her love and concern for others have led to the establishment of numerous programs and groups. Click here to read more about her.
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