Worthy of the Calling

The first three chapters of the letter to the Ephesians tell about the spiritual position and authority of those who accept Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary. The last three chapters talk about God’s entry into the daily life of Christians.

Paul makes it clear in the letter that although our spiritual position is our foundation, we will never understand that position if we do not let Christ enter our daily lives. Likewise, we will not walk in His authority unless we submit to Him.

Paul wrote, I . . . beseech you to have a walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. . . . Eph. 4:1 NKJV)

We cannot enter that walk by ourselves—or stay on the walk by ourselves. What we can do is accept the life of Christ and let Him begin to work in us.

Originally published August 23, 1991.
Picture: Como Park Conservatory, St. Paul, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

"My brothers" & "Your Father"

After His resurrection, Jesus talked to Mary of Magdala in the garden of the tomb. She did not recognize Him—until He called her by name. Then she turned, fell at his feet, and cried out His title as Teacher in Aramaic, the common language of the region. “Rabboni!” she said. (Jn. 20:16b NIV)

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (v. 17)

In that intimate moment, Jesus called the disciples brothers, something He had not done before. Then, after referring to God as His Father, he added, and your Father . . .

With those few words, Jesus revealed that His death on Calvary had destroyed divisions. A division between God and His people had changed and a division between Jesus and the disciples had changed—both washed away by the Blood He shed on the cross.

Originally published April 8, 1983.

The Two Criminals

Two criminals were crucified with Jesus, one on His right and one on His left. One cried out with a bitter heart, “If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.” (Lk. 23:39b KJV) This bitter man ignored his own sin and challenged Jesus. He also ignored and rejected the sinless nature of Christ—placing himself outside of God’s blessing.

The second criminal responded differently. He said to his fellow criminal, “Do you not even fear God . . . we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” (Lk. 23:40b,41b NKJV) This man understood and acknowledged his personal guilt—and he recognized the sinless nature of Jesus. Because the man understood, he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” (v. 42 NKJV)

Everyone who hears the Gospel of Jesus Christ must respond the way one of these two criminals responded. We either reject or accept Christ and His righteousness. If we accept Jesus, we accept His ability to save us when we cannot save ourselves. Jesus said to the repentant criminal, “today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (v. 43b NKJV)

Originally published March 22, 1991.
Picture: Cross on Cathedral spire, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2008. Photo by Solveig.