Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation with which you are called, What is the klesis, vocation, or calling, of which the Scripture speaks so often? Take the following hints: 1. It is the calling of God (Romans 11:29; Philippians 3:14; comp. 2 Thessalonians 1:11, 2 Timothy 1:9, Hebrews 3:1, 2 Peter 1:10, Ephesians 1:18), because it is God Himself who calls us from darkness to light, and from the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of His dear Son. 2. It is a high calling (Philippians 3:14), for the prize attached to it is eternal life. 3. It is a holy calling (2 Timothy 1:9), because the end and purpose of it (at least on earth) is holiness. 4. It is a heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1), for it comes from and draws us to heaven. 5. The hope of our calling (Ephesians 4:4) is the hope which those called by God to serve Him may cherish. It belongs to the brethren alone, and proceeds entirely from God (1 Corinthians 1:26). This is what our fathers termed effectual calling, and it occupies a prominent place in all our systems of theology. The doctrine is based upon, or takes for granted the following principles — (1) That the human race is fallen, and needs to be restored to God. (2) That even this fallen and redeemed race cannot of itself return to God, but needs the assistance of a Divine call. (3) That the election and the calling are co-extensive. (4) That, therefore, the salvation of the Church is, in its origin, means, and end, to be ascribed to the pure and sovereign will of God. Our walk should be worthy of this vocation. There ought to be some relation between our conduct and our hopes, between our character and the promised reward. If His love has opened up to us glorious and immortal hopes, should not our service correspond to them? Worthy of His calling? It is a great, high, noble principle. It is a rule of life which lifts us from the dust, and gives us the position, hopes, and fears of immortal creatures. (W. Graham, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, |
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