Topical Bible: The Call of God: Walk Worthy of

Bible > Topical > The Call of God

◄ The Call of God: Walk Worthy of ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of walking worthy of the call of God is a profound theme in the New Testament, emphasizing the believer's response to God's gracious invitation to salvation and service. This call is not merely an invitation but a divine summons that carries with it the expectation of a transformed life, reflecting the character and purposes of God.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the call of God in his epistles, urging believers to live in a manner that reflects their high calling. In Ephesians 4:1, Paul writes, "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received." This exhortation is rooted in the believer's identity in Christ and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The call is not based on human merit but on God's grace, as seen in 2 Timothy 1:9, "He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began."

Characteristics of a Worthy Walk

Walking worthy of the call involves several key characteristics that are consistently highlighted in Scripture:

1. Holiness and Purity: Believers are called to live holy lives, set apart for God's purposes. 1 Thessalonians 4:7 states, "For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness." This involves a conscious effort to avoid sin and pursue righteousness.

2. Unity and Love: The call of God includes a commitment to unity within the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:2-3 encourages believers to walk "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

3. Faithfulness and Obedience: A worthy walk is marked by faithfulness to God's commands and a willingness to obey His Word. Colossians 1:10 exhorts believers to "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

4. Endurance and Perseverance: The call of God often involves trials and challenges. Believers are encouraged to persevere, as seen in 2 Thessalonians 1:11, "We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith."

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The ability to walk worthy of the call is not achieved through human effort alone but is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16 instructs, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." The Spirit enables believers to live out their calling by producing the fruit of the Spirit in their lives (Galatians 5:22-23).

The Ultimate Goal

The ultimate goal of walking worthy of the call is to glorify God and reflect His character to the world. Philippians 1:27 urges, "Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." This involves living in such a way that others see the transformative power of the gospel and are drawn to Christ.

In summary, the call of God is a divine invitation to live a life that reflects His holiness, love, and purpose. It is a call to transformation, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and aimed at glorifying God through faithful and obedient living.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 4:1
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation with which you are called,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Effectual Calling
... husband and wife, father and child, that God should call one by ... Thus Paul being called
of God, and seeing what a debtor he was ... Walk worthy of your high calling ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/2 effectual calling.htm

My Brethren.
... God with Him; one with Him, perfectly identified with the blessed One in God's presence.
Therefore He is not ashamed to call us brethren. To walk worthy of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/my brethren.htm

Exhortations to those who are Called
... you above the princes of the earth, and call you to ... God is their portion, and heaven
is their mansion, and shall ... To walk worthy of our calling is to walk wisely ...
/.../watson/a divine cordial/exhortations to those who are.htm

Christians, Temples of the Living God
... aspiring after every good; and in a word, use all diligence to walk worthy of Him ...
us, and to our children, and to as many as the Lord our God shall call. ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/christians temples of the living.htm

Honour and Glory unto Him.
... Him rejoicing in His love, cries out, "Thou art worthy!" Yea, the ... O child of God,
walk close to Him! ... God's call to His people is to stand aloft from all which ...
/.../gaebelein/the lord of glory/honour and glory unto him.htm

Knowledge and Obedience.
... and yet here they are, facing us definitely, with their call to realise that which
God has placed before us. The specific details of this worthy walk are next ...
/.../thomas/the prayers of st paul/v knowledge and obedience.htm

The Calling and the Kingdom
... And thus we have 'the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.'. Now, if that is the
call, if the life of Christ is that to ... I beseech you that ye walk worthy of the ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the calling and the kingdom.htm

Thoughts Upon Our Call and Election.
... These God doth not call us to, but from ... called to be Saints, a People consecrated
unto God; and therefore ... our Calling is holy; and we ought to walk worthy of the ...
/.../beveridge/private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon our call and.htm

A Compendious view of the Christian Life.
... then bring us to public spectacles; nor inappropriately might one call the racecourse ...
And if we are called to the kingdom of God, let us walk worthy of the ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi a compendious view of.htm

Celsus Supposes that we May Arrive at a Knowledge of God Either by ...
... things after the methods which mathematicians call synthesis and ... through the goodness
and love of God to mankind ... and knew that they would walk worthy of Him who ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xliv celsus supposes that.htm