11
Walk worthy.
The fourth chapter opens the practical section of the Epistle, and its dominant note is WALK:
`I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called'.
A walk that was right under the law cannot be fitting under grace. To come closer, a walk that harmonised with
the doctrine of the Kingdom cannot equally harmonize with the doctrine of the Church. Closer still, a walk which
was right for Gentile believers during the Acts while Israel remained and miraculous gifts abounded will not be a
walk worthy of the super-heavenly calling. The `Acts' with its Baptism, the `Corinthians' with its Lord's Supper,
are not necessarily guides for those who were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world.
Ephesians itself will tell us what to do, and rid us from undispensational doctrines and ordinances.
After speaking of the lowliness and the meekness which should ever characterize the recipients of such
marvellous grace, the apostle proceeds to define their walk:
(1)
Ecclesiastically, as a result of their Church position.
(2)
Morally, as a result of doctrine.
(3)
Socially, as a result of their relation to Christ.
(4)
Martially, in connection with their super-heavenly calling.
The Unity of the Spirit - The walk ecclesiastically.
Let us look at these four aspects separately:
(1)
ECCLESIASTICALLY.- While the churches of Christendom are sinking their differences and drawing nearer to
a federation and a fusion, the Church of the One Body is directed to endeavour to guard as a sacred trust `The unity
of the Spirit in the bond of the peace'. All true practice springs out of doctrine. This unity and bond are the result of
chapter 2. There we have `the both in ONE BODY', `ONE NEW MAN', `access by ONE SPIRIT', `so making peace'. This
is the unity of the Spirit. Here is the bond of the peace. Here is no unity which man is called upon to make; IT IS
ALREADY MADE. We walk worthy of our calling when we are diligent to guard this sacred trust.
Should membership of the various sects and denominations militate against this supreme endeavour, the member
of the One Body can have no choice in the matter. Arguments as to open doors for service, for preaching the gospel,
are vain. God does not depend upon our service or our preaching, but He does look for a walk that is worthy.
While the types of the Old Testament know nothing of the mystery, the unity of the Spirit may be likened to the
seven-branched lampstand of the Tabernacle, the central shaft holding the other branches together and supplying
them with oil.