Walk in a manner worthy of the calling … with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love.
— Ephesians 4:1–2 —
Ernest Kanzangaza: Central African Preaching Academy | Malawi
Is your life different from those around you? Do you live in a manner worthy of your calling? In this verse, the apostle Paul presents the virtues that should characterize our lives as we follow the Lord Jesus. First, we should be humble and gentle. We should be motivated by love because Jesus first loved us when we were still undeserving sinners. Paul is echoing the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:29, where He says that He is gentle and humble in heart. Humility is to be our basic orientation toward God and others (James 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5). Gentleness is also vital to expressing our love for others. We are to learn from our Lord, the perfect picture of these attributes. Second, we are to add patience to our humility and gentleness. Patience is the ability to withstand provocation without losing our temper. Patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22); those who are chosen of God are to put on a heart of patience (Col. 3:12). Third, we are to bear with each other in love. We should be motivated by love because Jesus first loved us when we were still undeserving sinners (Rom. 5:8). He demonstrated true forbearance and love, leaving us an example to follow. Let us look continually to Christ as our model. And as we do, we will receive grace each day to walk in a manner worthy of our calling.
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