JUNE 8, 2014
THE CHRISTIAN VOCATION
INTRODUCTION:
1. The Ephesian epistle, in keeping with the Apostle Paul’s style and method, is in two parts. First we have the doctrinal section (Chapters 1-3); then secondly comes the practical section (Chapters 4-6)
2. As with the Roman epistle, he ends his doctrinal portion with a moving doxology of praise. (Compare Rom. 11:33-36;Eph. 3:20, 21) Should not the revelation of this great gospel mystery fill our hearts with praise to God? Should we not marvel at the infinite depth of His wisdom and knowledge, and His eternal love for His elect which moved Him to devise so great a plan of redemption?
3. The theme of the doctrinal portion of Ephesians might be, as Charles Hodge asserts, “The eternal plan of redemption manifested to the glory of His grace.” God would, as seen in Ch. 3:9, “make all men to see what is the fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God.” The theme of the doctrinal portion of the book might be summed up in the words of Ch. 4:1, “…that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.”
4. The Apostle again makes mention of his present status. “I therefore the prisoner of the Lord.” This second mention is in order to give added weight to his exhortation to them to walk worthy of their calling.
5. Let us now consider what it means to walk worthy of our Christian vocation.
I. FIRST A CHRISTIAN MUST SEE HIS FAITH AS HIS CALLING, OR VOCATION. (VERSE 1)
A. CHRISTIANITY IS THE VOCATION OF ALL WHO ARE IN CHRIST.
1. The word “vocation” means a summons to a particular state of course of action, work or employment.
2. The word itself suggests a vocal summons, to be called by a voice.
3. We as Christians have received a divine call, issued by the voice of the Holy Spirit. We are called not merely to a place of safety, but to a new way of life.
B. THE CHRISTIAN’S VOCATION IS ONE WORTHY OF THE DIVINE CALLING. “Worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.”
1. We are called to a particular course, one that God has chosen for us and us for it. He has designed it for His own glory.
2. It is a “high calling.” (Phil. 3:14); it is a “holy calling.” (II Tim. 1:9); it is a “heavenly calling.” (Heb. 3:1)
3. Once this course is begun, there is no turning back. (II Tim. 4:7, 8)
C. THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IS NOT AN ADDED DIMENSION TO OUR LIFE; IT IS OUR LIFE.
1. A Christian’s life must not be divided into categories – one part secular and another part religious. Secular is defined as not specifically religious; relating to worldly or temporal concerns, such as occupation, business, recreation, etc. Religion is therefore thought by many to be a part of one’s life that is to be kept separate. They never mix religion with business, or religion and politics, etc.
2. In light of what the Christian calling is, how utterly absurd it is to think that true religion can be kept isolated, or be put into a category all to itself? As Christians, our faith is our vocation, our life. (Col. 3:4; Phil. 1:21; Gal. 2:20) To become a Christian is not a new room added on to our house, it is our whole new house.
3. All of life’s interest must be subject to and governed by our chief and primary calling. We are Christian’s first and foremost, and that, twenty-four seven. Our Christian faith is to be the governing force and the defining calling in our life. (I Pet. 1:15; I Cor. 7:20-24)
4. Thus, to walk worthy is, first of all, to understand that our Christian faith is our primary calling, and all other interests are only secondary and subject to our chief business.
II. SECONDLY, CHRISTIANS MUST ASSUME THOSE VIRTUES WHICH BECOME THEIR CHRISTIAN CALLING IN PROMOTING UNITY. (VERSES 2, 3)
A. HE MENTIONS THREE CHRISTIAN VIRTUES THAT PROMOTE UNITY. (VERSE 20
1. First, there is “lowliness,” that is, lowliness of mind, or in a word, humility.
a) Awareness of our natural state of weakness, sinfulness, and unworthiness should cause a low estimation of self.
b) The realization of how undeserving we are of so high an honor, having been raised from the depth of degradation and misery to an inconceivable elevation and dignity as sons of God must surely produce humility.
c) This is that true humility that has no problem in esteeming others better than ourselves. (See Phil 2:3)
2. Second, there is “meekness,” that is, an uncomplaining disposition of mind.
a) This kind of attitude enables one to bear, without resentment, the faults and injuries of others.
b) Perhaps as much as any other virtue, true meekness promotes unity in the church. Contrariwise, the inability to bear the faults of others is a chief cause of strife in the church.
c) Our great example of meekness is Christ Himself. (Isa. 53:7)
3. Thirdly, there is “longsuffering,” which is defined as “forebearing one another in love.”
a) In meekness one bears injuries without resentment, longsuffering is patient forbearance through repeated injuries and provocations. (II Cor. 6:4-6)
b) This is done “in love,” either out of a principle of love, or in not ceasing to love those whose infirmities we bear.
c) See Col. 3:12-15.
B. THE UNITY PROMOTED BY THESE VIRTUES IS VITAL AND MUST BE MAINTAINED. (VERSE 3)
1. It is the unity of the Spirit that must be kept; the unity of which the Holy Spirit is the author.
2. This unity can either be promoted or disturbed by our words and deeds. “endeavoring to keep…”
a) Keeping this unity is to be our endeavor.
b) In other words, we are to strive to achieve and maintain the unity of the Spirit.
3. This cherished unity is kept “in the bonds of peace,” i.e. that peace which results from walking in humility, meekness and longsuffering.
III. THIRDLY, CHRISTIANS ARE GIVEN VERY COMPELLING REASONS FOR ENDEAVORING TO KEEP THIS BLESSED UNITY OF THE SPIRIT. (VERSES 4-6)
A. FIRST NOTICE THE NUMBER OF UNITIES THAT ARE THE COMMON GLORIES OF OUR CHRISTIAN PROFESSION. (VERSES 4, 5)
1. There is one body, that is, there is one Church, which is the Body of Christ, and all Christians are members of this one body.
a) What better argument for the promotion of unity?
b) When one’s physical body opposes itself, or one member fights against another, or its thoughts and motions are out of sync, it usually indicates some kind of physical or neurological disorder.
c) When Christ’s spiritual body does not function as a unit, the problem is not with the Head (Col. 1:18), it has to be disunity with respect to its members. This ought not to be.
2. There is one Spirit; one Holy Spirit Who indwells all believers alike.
a) Thus, the one body has but one heart.
b) The Church is one mystical body of Christ, and all believers make up but one body animated by one Spirit. He is the same Holy Spirit Who by His gifts and graces quickens, indwells, and governs the body. Therefore, if we are activated by the same Spirit, we should be as one.
3. There is “one hope of our calling.”
a) All Christians are called in this same hope.
b) “Hope” is here put for the object of hope. The thing hoped for is the heavenly inheritance.
c) All Christians are called to the same hope of eternal life, and it is the same Christ that we all hope in, therefore we should be of one heart and mind.
4. There is “one Lord,” that is, Jesus Christ the Head of the church, to Whom all Christians are immediately subject.
5. There is “one faith,” that is, the Gospel containing the doctrine of the Christian faith. Or, it may mean the grace of faith, by which we are justified. All are saved by faith in the same Christ. There can be no disagreement of this point.
6. There is one baptism.
a) One confessional baptism, by which we profess our faith, being baptized in the name of the Father, son, and Holy Spirit.
b) One baptism of the Holy Spirit, by which we are regenerated and sealed.
B. FINALLY, THERE IS ONE GOD AND FATHER, WHO OWNS ALL TRUE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH. (VERSE 6)
1. The church is one because it has one God and Father, one glorious Being to whom we have a twofold relation of creature and child.
2. This glorious God pervades and fills all the church with His sustaining and life-giving presence.
3. Notice, the unity of the church is founded on the doctrine of the Trinity. There is to us one God the Father, one Lord, one Spirit. It is said in Scripture that the Spirit dwells in believers, that Christ dwells in them, and that God dwells in them. And it is for this that the Lord prays for His people. (John 17:21)
4. We have more than sufficient reasons to motivate us, therefore let us endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
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