Living a Life Worthy of Our Calling
In our journey of faith, we often grapple with what it means to live a life that honors God. The concept of "worthiness" can be particularly challenging, as we may feel the weight of trying to earn or deserve God's love and grace. However, a deeper understanding of Scripture reveals a transformative truth: we are called to live a life fitting to the identity we have already received in Christ.
The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, urges believers to "live a life worthy of the calling you have received" (Ephesians 4:1). At first glance, this might seem like a daunting task, as if we must somehow prove ourselves deserving of God's love. But the Greek word used here, "axius," actually means "fitting" or "appropriate." This subtle distinction changes everything.
As followers of Christ, we are not striving to earn something we don't yet have. Instead, we are invited to live in alignment with the identity that has already been bestowed upon us. Through faith in Jesus, we have been made holy, chosen, and adopted into God's family. Our challenge is to allow this truth to permeate every aspect of our lives.
Consider the analogy of new parents leaving the hospital with their firstborn child. Are they a mother and father? Absolutely. Do they know exactly how to be parents yet? Not at all. Their journey is about growing into the identity they already possess. Similarly, our walk with Christ is about becoming who we already are in Him.
This perspective shifts our understanding of Christian living from a burdensome list of dos and don'ts to a joyful exploration of our new identity. Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:3 that our "life is now hidden with Christ in God." This profound statement suggests that our true selves are safeguarded in the very heart of God, shielded by our union with Christ.
Living out this calling means embracing our role within the body of Christ – the church. We are each unique "living stones" in God's cosmic temple, bringing our individual gifts and experiences to contribute to the whole. This community is called to stand as a testament to God's love and power in a world often marked by division and injustice.
However, this journey is not without its challenges. Many have experienced deep hurts within church communities, leading to disillusionment and withdrawal. The story of a woman with a partially erased tattoo that once read "Come as you are" serves as a poignant reminder of the pain that can occur when churches fail to embody the unconditional love of Christ.
Yet, it is precisely in acknowledging our brokenness and need for healing that we can truly live out our calling. We are invited to bear one another's burdens, to walk the long road together, and to create spaces of genuine acceptance and growth. This is the essence of being the church – a community where people can come as they are and be transformed by the love of God.
As we seek to live lives worthy of our calling, we must remember that this is not about perfection or never stumbling. Paul's letters to various churches make it clear that believers still struggled with sin and discord. The difference is in how we respond to our failures and those of others. We are called to extend the same grace and forgiveness we have received in Christ.
Practically, this might look like:
1. Embracing our identity as "holy ones" or "saints," not because of our own righteousness, but because of Christ's work in us.
2. Serving one another humbly in love, fulfilling the greatest commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves.
3. Using our unique gifts to build up the body of Christ, without comparing ourselves to others or feeling inadequate.
4. Creating welcoming spaces for those who feel marginalized or cast out, remembering that we too were once far from God.
5. Continually "working out our salvation" (Philippians 2:12-13), not to earn God's favor, but to grow deeper in our relationship with Him and allow His work in us to bear fruit.
Living a life worthy of our calling is not about striving to reach an unattainable standard. It's about aligning our daily choices and attitudes with the incredible reality of who we are in Christ. We are loved, chosen, and empowered by God to be His representatives in this world.
As we navigate the complexities of life, we can take comfort in knowing that our identity is secure in Christ. We are no longer defined by our past failures, present struggles, or the opinions of others. Instead, we are invited to live from a place of acceptance and grace, extending that same love to those around us.
Let us encourage one another to live lives fitting of the calling we have received. May we be a community that radiates the love of Christ, stands for justice in the face of oppression, and offers hope to a world in desperate need of good news. As we do so, we will indeed "shine among them like stars in the sky, as [we] hold firmly to the word of life" (Philippians 2:15-16).
In the end, living a life worthy of our calling is not about perfection, but about progress. It's about allowing the truth of who we are in Christ to gradually transform every aspect of our being. As we do so, we become living testimonies to the power of God's love and grace, inviting others to experience the same transformative relationship with Him.
So let us move forward with confidence, knowing that we are already accepted, already loved, and already empowered to live out our divine calling. May our lives reflect the beauty of Christ's work in us, bringing glory to God and hope to the world around us.