Living Worthy of Our Calling

We have been saved by God's amazing grace. Because of our sins, we were separated from God, but He did not give up on us. Instead, He loved us first and opened the way of salvation through Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again. By His grace, we have been forgiven and have become children of God. 

Having received such great grace, how should we now live? 

Ephesians 4:1 tells us to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called" (ESV). This does not mean that we must work harder to earn God's love. Rather, it means that we should remember the love and grace God has already given us and live with thankful hearts. 

How, then, should this grace be shown in our daily lives? 

God wants us to live with humility, gentleness, patience, and love, bearing with one another. However, when we look at ourselves, we realize how difficult this can be. Sometimes we insist that our own opinions are right, easily judge the weaknesses of others, and close our hearts when we are hurt by someone's words or actions. 

In those moments, we need to look again to the cross of Jesus Christ. 

Jesus did not love us because we deserved His love. He loved us first while we were still sinners. Despite our weaknesses and failures, He welcomed us by His grace. 

The more we reflect on His love, the more our hearts begin to change toward others. Instead of being proud, we become humble. Instead of becoming angry easily, we learn to be gentle. Instead of judging the weaknesses of others, we learn to embrace them with love. This is because Jesus loved us first with that same love. 

God also wants us to live in unity in Christ. We all have different personalities, opinions, and backgrounds. Sometimes it is difficult to understand one another, and we may experience conflicts in our relationships. However, what unites us is not how similar we are, but the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Through the cross, Jesus not only reconciled us to God but also brought us together as one family. Therefore, instead of focusing on our differences, we should remember the love of Jesus that has made us one. 

The Christian life is not simply about trying to become better people. It is about living with gratitude for the grace of God, who loved and saved us first, and showing His love through our daily lives. 

Of course, we cannot live this way by our own strength. That is why we need the grace of Jesus every day. When it is difficult to love others, we should remember Jesus, who loved us first. When it is difficult to forgive others, we should remember how Jesus forgave us through His sacrifice on the cross. The Holy Spirit changes our hearts and gives us the strength to live in love. 

May we live each day remembering the grace of salvation we have received. In our families, churches, and all our relationships, may we love and accept one another with humility and gentleness, and faithfully preserve the unity we have been given in Jesus Christ. 

May the grace we have received be shown through our words and actions, and may the love of Jesus Christ be revealed through our lives. 

Ephesians 4:1-6 

Pastor Paul