Pastor Jonathan DeCou

Ephesians 4:1-16

 

In this series of blogs, I’m considering 5 distinguishing characteristics of a healthy body. Today I’d like you to begin by reading Ephesians 4:1-16, and then join me as we think about the first of those 5 characteristics: VITALITY!

 

 “…live a life worthy of the calling you have received…”

(Ephesians 4:1)

In the opening verse of Ephesians 4, Paul encourages us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received in Christ. Ask yourself some question:

·         “What does it mean to live life in a worthy manner?”

·         “What does it mean to live life?”

·         “What does it mean to live?”

 

Stop and think about what life is like for the average “Joe” or “Josephine”? To help you get your mind on track, let me turn to one of my favorite theologians.

 

In one of Charles Schulz’s famous “Peanuts” cartoons, Lucy is philosophizing and Charlie Brown is listening (as he usually does):

 

“Charlie Brown,” she begins, “life is a lot like a deck chair. Some place it to see where they’ve been. And some so they can see where they are at the present.”

 

Charlie sighs, “I can’t even get mine unfolded.”

 

Do you ever feel like good ol’ Charlie Brown? Wondering what in the world life is all about…wondering what in the world is going in life?

 

Charlie Brown reminds me of what Henry David Thoreau wrote, “Most men in this world live out their lives in quiet desperation.” Quiet desperation. That’s a pretty dismal way to go through life, don’t you think?

 

How ‘bout this “encouraging” sentiment from T. S. Elliott, “We humans cannot bear very much reality.”  When you watch the incredibly creative ways people try to deaden the pain of their life and distract themselves from the reality they must face, it’s not hard to see how Elliott came to his conclusion.

 

Scripture describes a life for the Christian that is quite different from the all-to-common sentiments of Charlie Brown, Thoreau and Elliott. In fact, the life of a Christ-follower is far from dull, boring and senseless. Our life in Christ is exciting, invigorating and vital. Is that your experience?

 

It was Jesus Christ Himself who said:

 

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:10 (NIV)

 

I don’t know about you, but that’s what I long for. That’s what I’m pursuing in my life with Christ. Not just life, but life to the max! So, how do we possess such life?

 

Jesus gives us an indication of the key to this abundant life and existence when we read His words to Nicodemus. In answer to Nicodemus’ question about how to participate in the Kingdom of God, Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” John 3:3 (NIV)

 

Perhaps you are thinking right about now, “Yeah, I’d like to be born a second time and get another start at life!” That’s what Nicodemus thought Jesus meant, but in reality Jesus went on to say that the abundant life He promised is realized when our spirit is made alive by the Spirit of God. In other words, until the Holy Spirit breathes His life into our spirit, our spirit is dead to God and His truth and power. Life is nothing more than the stuff of Charlie Brown, Thoreau and all the rest. But when the Holy Spirit breathes His life into our spirit then we are able to born into the family of God and experience life at a whole new level.

 

And it is this new life that Paul is referring to in Ephesian 4:1, when he describes the life worthy of our calling in Jesus Christ.  The life worthy of our calling is vital. It is abundant. It is completely different than life without Jesus Christ.

 

“Life is either a daring experience or nothing at all.”

Helen Keller

 

Is this your experience? This is more like the description of the vital life to be found in Christ than the blasé life of so many other sad souls biding time around us. No, the life of the Christian is the very vitality of Jesus Christ being lived out in us and through us by the Holy Spirit.

 

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live,

but Christ lives in me.

The life I live in the body,

I live by faith in the Son of God,

who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20

 

Perhaps you understand why I like this anonymous quote so much: “Our lives are a manifestation of what we think about God.” If that is true (and I certainly believe it is, based upon God’s Word), than what are others seeing about God as they view our lives? My prayer is that others see the abundant, exciting and vital life of Jesus Christ in each of us.

 

Let’s make this affirmation together: I will maintain close communion with Jesus Christ so His life and power will enable me as member of His Body. The Lord Jesus doesn’t intend for me to maintain some dull existence. His passion and deep desire for me is to experience His resurrection power in my WALK, WORSHIP, WORK, WITNESS & WARFARE! That’s VITALITY!