Living Up to Expectations

walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called (Ephesians 4.1)

I’m sorry but I cannot imagine being primped to be a duke, prince or king! I have always thought of Prince Charles as a big wuss in waiting. His whole life has been spent preparing to be “the next king of England.”

This poor guy has gone above and beyond the call of duty in being groomed for a position that Elizabeth II, his mom, doesn’t seem to want to give up. Elizabeth’s mother, the Honourable Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, lived for 101 years for Pete’s sake! Does Charley have a chance? Doubt it.

Why this talk about princely preening? Well my friend it is because we as God’s children are in a similar process. In Ephesians 4.1 Paul goes into some interesting details. He tells us the following.

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

The word vocation trips us up. I went through my career at GM working my best so that I would please God in my vocation. That wasn’t a bad thing and I really do believe that we must do our best whatever our job or whoever our boss. But this verse isn’t talking about that type of vocation.

The word vocation here means invitation or calling. Paul uses the word nine times in his letters (see Rom. 11:29; 1Cor. 1:26, 7:20; Eph. 1:18, 4:1, 4:4; Phil. 3:14; 2Thess.1:11; 2Tim. 1:9). Ten if you count Hebrews (Heb. 3:1). Each time the word is translated as calling. Each except here in Ephesians 4.1 where vocation is used.

Substituting the word calling give us a slightly different understanding of the verse. Paul is telling us that we need to walk like ones being groomed to take over as princes or princesses. Our calling is that of royalty.

Whoa Mike? Where did you get that idea? Notice what Paul has to say in Romans 8.28-30.

28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Royalty is in my future! Jesus Christ at this very moment is seated at the Father’s right hand. He is in a position of royalty. One day He will rule the earth. That we know as the 1000 year Millennial Reign. When He surrenders that reign to His Father Jesus will assume the Eternal Reign. The Apostle John gives us this insight in Revelation chapter one:

5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev 1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

My position of royalty is actually already in effect. I just can’t see that aspect from my earthly perch. Walking worthy of my calling then demands a different demeanor. It requires certain cultivated steps.

If you were Princes Charles or William would you be up to the task? Could you stand the pressure. Would you be able to hold your posture and tongue? Would you be happy to wait for your moment?

As princes and princesses of the King of kings we are obligated to walk and talk a certain way. So, where are the “Ten Easy Steps”? There are at least ten in Ephesians four. So, memorize it. You’ll be ready for royal living. All of that an NO paparazzi! Cool.