Walk Worthy

The DCC women's group I gather with on Wednesday mornings studies the Bible by reading through the same book of the Bible numerous times during the week to saturate ourselves in the Word, then gathering to discuss how the Word is impacting our lives. We started in Matthew and are now in 1 Thessalonians, usually spending 2-3 weeks on the same book. Reading in this way (combined with our pastor doing a series on Ephesians) has made me notice so many patterns, specifically in Paul's letters, that I had never noticed before.

Primarily I was hit by Paul's constant refrain throughout almost all of his letters exhorting the believers to whom he's writing to walk worthy of the calling to which God has called them.

Ephesians 4:1 "...walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called..."
Philippians 1:27a "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ..."
Colossians 1:10a "...walk in a manner worthy of the Lord..."
1 Thessalonians 2:12 "...walk in a manner worthy of God..."

Christendom has always struggled with the issue of legalism - working to earn our salvation, or justifying ourselves before God - so often Christians choose to stay away from working at all. But thankfully Paul doesn't shy away from showing the importance of working hard for the call because we have been justified. The difference is between justification and sanctification. Justification is an act that is already finished by God and God alone through Christ's death on the cross. Sanctification is what we as justified believers are now doing in partnership with the Holy Spirit to become more conformed to the image of Christ. This is why the Scripture puts a lot of weight on the fruit of the believer; it's important!

Philippians 2:12-13 says it plainly, "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." Are you actively working out? Are you deciding daily to walk worthy of the call? Praise Jesus for justifying us first so that we can now work out our salvation in joy.

-Christy