So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called [that is, to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior--a life that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation]. EPHESIANS 4:1 AMP.
All of us who are alive are 'prisoners' to someone: God or the devil. Sin makes us prisoners of the devil; God's free gift of his Son makes us prisoners of a different kind: people with an eternity mentality, who know that service to God is an eternal assignment. Paul may have been in a physical prison, but the fact remains: all who profess Christ are 'prisoners': you don't decide how you live anymore. All you are, all you do, all you say must be directed by the one who holds the key to your life.
If I have that understanding, then I must live as prisoners do: live the life in line with that state. Guidance is provided in today's extract: first is Godly character. You must look like the one who called you; it can't be any other way. You cannot profess to know Christ and live contrary to his will, purpose and Word. You cannot claim God is your Lord and still make allegiance to the devil with the way you live. Every other thing mentioned: moral courage, personal integrity and mature behaviour all flow from my inner control point. I cannot rely in morals alone, or personal integrity to make eternity; the foundation must be right for the destination to be right. A true view of my life can only be possible with the help of the control point, as my human heart is prone to self-deceit.
Getting it right is a sign of gratitude to God. When you live right, you appreciate his work in and through you. Men will seek your light and want to know the God you serve. His time of favour is here.
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