Ephesians 4. I therefore… urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called (4:1). This little verse has become to tag line I use to close out the audio version of these devotional blog posts every day. [By the way, did you know you can listen to these on a Spotify podcast? Listen here!]

I picked the phrase “walk in a manner worthy of your calling” because it is an encouragement to live fully into the new identity and calling that God has given us (which we have been reading about in Ephesians 1-3). We are well-loved, full of strength and the power of the Spirit, and gifted to do good works and build up the kingdom. We have a rich inheritance as members of the household of God – we ought to walk in a manner worthy of his name.

It’s one of the things I wish all Christians did – conducted themselves in a way that brought glory to God and his kingdom. It is heart-breaking me when people call themselves Christians and then behave obnoxiously, unfaithfully, unlovingly, full of lies and bitterness, and lacking in integrity. When people do that, it gives all of Christianity a black eye and I am tired of it – just don’t associate yourself with Christ if you are going to behave that way.

The call to walk in a manner worthy of your calling reminds me of my engagement party, hosted almost three decades ago by several lovely couples at a big house on the bay in my husband’s hometown. I ended up standing at the front door in a receiving line of sorts and shook hands with people for more than three hours. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I said yes to the charming young Army captain that became my husband. I was not from the area, and I was caught a bit off guard. His father was mayor of the town for 29 years, his brother was a state legislator and also the mayor in a later season. The family name Clemons carried significance in that small town – could I walk in a manner worthy of that last name? The family name was part of my new identity and came with expectations regarding character and behavior – it was important to conduct myself accordingly. Luckily, they were an amazing family and welcomed me in with grace and kindness – I am grateful to be a Clemons.

The Apostle Paul reminds the church at Ephesus that they too must walk in a manner worthy of their calling. He warns them, you must no longer walk as the gentiles do (4:17). The call is to put off your old self which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (4:22-24).

We have been crucified and set free from our old way of life. We have the Holy Spirit to transform us and to help us become more like Christ. Walk in a manner worthy of your calling.