Walk Worthy of Your Calling

 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all (Eph 4:1-6 NKJV).

When Scripture is attacked, Christ’s deity is challenged, or the concept of salvation by grace through faith is debated, we must remain steadfast in our beliefs. These are the types of core issues that demand church discipline and or separation. 

Unfortunately, there have been many church feuds over things not essential to the faith. It is particularly sad to see church members fighting over personal matters unrelated to doctrine. Some have even reported church splits over the color of the auditorium carpet. You say, “That sounds silly.” I agree. However, what starts as a personal preference sometimes turns into a personality clash. People get offended because the parties involved fail to respond to each other with love.

When you feel strongly about an issue, remember to keep the proper perspective. You are charged to walk worthy of your calling. Ask yourself, “Is this issue important in light of eternity?” Will my Heavenly Father be pleased for me to trample my brother’s feelings over this issue? You know the answer.

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Php 2:1-8 NKJV). Amen.