“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:1-2
The Gospel is a call to “live sent,” to “live on mission,” to proclaim Jesus to those who have yet to believe. This is a call to all who trust in Christ – to trust your life to Him. And at the same time, you are called to live for His mission, to live “on mission,” so we are to walk in a manner worthy of the calling!
As J.D. Greear says:
“The Great Commission is not a calling for some; it is a mandate for all. Therefore, to become a disciple of Jesus means evaluating your passion and talents in terms of how they can best be used in God’s kingdom. The call we are waiting for has already been issued: Go and make disciples of all nations. When it comes to calling, we don’t need a voice; we have a verse.”
So, with this in mind, how shall we walk? Ephesians 4:2 has the answer: “…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.”
And in so doing, we model the very character of Jesus Christ:
Humility and Gentleness (Matthew 11: 28-29)
Humility regards others as more important than self. Gentleness is strength under control – “harnessed strength” for the benefit of others.
True gospel humility stands out in our culture. I love how Timothy Keller describes gospel humility:
“Gospel humility is not needing to think about myself. Not needing to connect things with myself. The thing we would remember from meeting a truly gospel-humble person is how much they seemed to be totally interested in us. The essence of gospel humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less.”
The finest Christian man I have ever known was my grandfather, George Wright, Sr. He was an incredible man of God who lived a great and full life, accomplishing much. But what made my grandfather so amazing to be around was that no matter who he interacted with, they left feeling better about themselves. He genuinely listened to and cared about you, and you knew it. He lived with gospel humility, and his love for people was infectious.
Patience (1 Timothy 1:15-16)
Do you struggle with patience? Just think about how patient God has been with you! Take your focus off the difficult person you might be dealing with and put your focus on the patience of God toward you! This is where you will find true patience.
Bearing with one another in love (1 John 4:10-12)
When we bear with one another in love and demonstrate the love of God through the way we love others, we invite people to see God through us. When we love as Christ loves us, we exhibit God’s love to a watching world.
So, what does it mean to “live sent?” It means living surrendered to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, living submitted to God’s guidance on where He wants you to serve Him, and living with a willingness to go.
Are you living surrendered, submitted, and with a willingness to go?
Taken from a sermon by George Wright, Senior Pastor, Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Birmingham, AL
Check out “If You Love Jesus, Care for Others” by Bryant Wright
