Todaywe're moving on to a new chapter, Ephesians 4. As we look at this chapter, weactually are beginning a new section of the book of Ephesians. The first threechapters of Ephesians dealt with doctrine, with knowledge, primarily our positionin Christ. The key word was the wealth that we have already in Jesus Christ.

Ithink it's interesting that in the Old Testament, God would say to the nationof Israel, if you obey me, I will bless you. But here in the New Testament, inall Paul's epistles, God is basically saying to the believers, now that I haveblessed you, “therefore”, now walk in me, walk in my love. Live for me like youshould. So we see the first three chapters are doctrinal where the last threechapters of Ephesians are duty. God gives us the doctrine, the knowledge first.What we now know about our position in Christ and in His body, the church,we  should apply these truths to ourlives in a practical way everyday. Some Christians say, "It doesn't matterwhat I believe, just as long as I live right." My friend, it does matterwhat you believe because what you believe determines what your walk will be. Jesussaid, "From out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks".

Thefirst three chapters are about our wealth, our riches in Christ while the lastthree have to do with our walk in Jesus Christ. In chapters 4 through 6, wewill see the word walk will appear several times. We are told to “walkworthy of the calling” (4:1); “walk in love” (5:2); “walk aschildren of Light” (5:8); “walk circumspectly” (carefully) (5:15 ).

Pauluses two important words in the first verse of chapter 4. The first is “therefore”,and the second is “beseech”. “I therefore a prisoner of the Lordbeseech you”. “I therefore”, by that He means what I have already saidbefore, based what I've said before concerning the knowledge the wealth andriches you have in Christ. Paul uses this same reasoning in Romans 12:1-2, “Ibeseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present yourbodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonableservice. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by therenewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable andperfect will of God.”

Inthe first 11 chapters of Romans, Paul basically gave us the doctrine ofsalvation. Then in chapter 12, he exhorts us to now live a sacrificial life forChrist, which in the only reasonable thing to do because of His love andsacrifice He made for us! We first know Christ, then we begin to live Christ,to love Christ, now we are to walk Christ. This is so important.

InEphesians 4 we see this walk that Paul is writing about to us to have is a walkin unity. Walk worthy of the calling to which you are called. How? “Inlowliness and gentleness and longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.” Paulis asking us to walk in unity (4:1-6, walk in purity (4:7-5:17 ), walk withharmony (5:18-6:9), and in walk in victory (6:10-24).

Again,the main idea in these first sixteen verses in Ephesians 4 is the unity ofbelievers in Christ. This is simply the practical application of the doctrinetaught in the first half of the letter: God is building a body, a temple. Hehas reconciled Jews and Gentiles to Himself in Christ. The oneness of believersin Christ is already a spiritual reality. Our responsibility is to guard,protect, and preserve that unity.

Godhas given us such a marvelous calling in Christ; now it is our responsibilityto live up to that calling.

Maythe Lord help us to do that today!

Godbless!