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The Epistle to the Ephesians Chapter 4 - A Life Worthy of Christ A Life Worthy of Christ 1. I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called. Paul appeals to the Ephesians on the grounds that he is in prison for the Lord Jesus Christ. This may seem a strange basis for such an appeal until we recall that it was for their sakes, because of his mission among the Gentiles, that he was imprisoned. In return for this expression of his love, Paul asks a reciprocate love and openness to his appeal. It is the mark of Paul's humility that, wherever possible, he does not issue the command of an apostle, but the loving appeal of a father or friend. His appeal is that the Christians would live a life worthy of those who are called to be Christ’s people. 2. With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love. Those who are Christ’s should reflect His nature by displaying the following characteristics: Lowliness. Which is humility in thought and deed (Matt. 11:29). The greatness of Christ’s humility is expressed in Philippians chapter two, where we read that although Jesus Christ was essentially God and one with God, He did not cling on to His Divine dignity, but humbled Himself in order to become a man and ultimately to obey God to the point of death - even death on a cross (Philip. 2:5 - 8). Meekness. To be meek is to be gentle, unselfish, and undemanding. On no occasion in the Gospels do we read of Christ being demanding. Although following Him would cost all they had, it is noteworthy that He never personally demanded anything for Himself from His followers. Long-suffering. This is the quality which is enables us to have patience with one another. Christ must have had ample patience in dealing with His disciples, who again and again failed to understand his teaching or to believe his word; and who argued persistently about which of them would be the greatest. Christ's only response to their pride and unbelief was to patiently repeat His teachings about humility and faith, until they eventually came to a place of understanding. Forbearing. Which is to make allowances for one another. This virtue leads on from the previous one of patience. It is a quality supremely shown by Christ when He prayed for His persecutors, in words that demonstrate His forbearance as much as His forgiveness, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Christ realized that the people’s minds were blinded to the truth, and He accepted this as sufficient