Week 6 | Monday
Monday – Remember Why
Written by Brian Hutton (Pickerington Campus)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdFe2DMCCG0
Ephesians 4:1
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”
When I was growing up, I was the type of kid who always asked the infamous question, “Why?” My mom would tell me to put my shoes away – “Why?” The teacher would say that we needed to write a paper on caterpillars – “Why?” My coach would tell us to get to the baseline – “Why?” (Quick side note: If you have kids, save them the extra running and tell them never to do this.) It didn’t matter if it was something to do, somewhere to go, or plans to follow – I have always wanted to know the reason, the “why.” Now, sometimes I was simply being annoying or trying to be funny, but most of the time, I genuinely wanted to know. When I knew the “why,” I was more likely to do the right thing with the right attitude.
As we start the second half of Ephesians, we are going to notice a shift in Paul’s writing. Beginning in chapter 4, Paul is going to turn his focus to the practical and personal application of all that he wrote in chapters 1-3. What we need to remember is that Paul spent the first three chapters spelling out, in glorious detail, all that God did for us – freely, by His grace. Those three chapters are the “why” for the rest of the letter.
Paul begins this second half of the letter by calling us to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Over the next three chapters, Paul is going to expand and explain what it means to do this – to live rightly. However, we must not forget the “why” as we read Paul’s words, which will confront our attitudes, actions, and ways of life. Without remembering all that God has done for us, we will never be people who grow in maturity and love for Him. We might become decent rule-followers on the outside but never devoted Christ-followers on the inside.
The idea is clear: we don’t walk worthy so that God will love us, but because He does love us. It is a response of gratitude, not a desire to earn merit. As believers, we have the obligation and duty to live in accord with our calling. But notice the order: behavior always follows being born again. When we remember the “why,” we are more likely to do the right thing with the right attitude. So, as we look at these next three chapters, let us not forget the beauty of God and what He has done, which motivates us to live a life worthy of our calling.
Reflection Questions:
- Have there been times in your life when you were told to do something but never knew the “why”? What were the outcomes (Did you do what you were told? What was your attitude? Were you grateful? etc.)?
- How can you make it a normal rhythm in your life to reflect on who God is and what He has done for you?
- Thinking about Paul’s writing in the next three chapters, what is your current heart posture toward the possibility of being corrected in your attitudes, actions, and ways of life?
Prayer Prompt:
“God, thank You for all that You have done for me. Help me to live a life that reflects my gratitude and love for You.”