WALK WORTHY OF GOD by M.

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 8, 1859

WALK WORTHY OF GOD

By M.

Who has Called You unto his Kingdom and Glory.

WHEN the Gentiles from whom we descended, were strangers and enemies to God by wicked works without Christ, without God, and without hope; then came the dear Saviour to draw them near to God and to speak peace to them. God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved them, saved them through faith in his only begotten Son, and made them fellow heirs with his chosen people, to the unsearchable riches of Christ; and chose Saul to bear these blessed tidings to them, and to call them from the darkness and bondage of sin, into the glorious light and liberty of the gospel. Saul, or Paul was made a prisoner by the envious Jews and idolatrous Gentiles, because through him salvation and glory through the true God were offered to the Gentiles. While a prisoner he writes to his Gentile brethren thus: [Eph. iv, 1, 2, New Trans.] "I beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which ye are called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love." We being Gentiles, are called as well as they. Let us further consult the text-book that we may learn how to walk worthy of our calling; for it is

a great calling; even to God's kingdom and glory. "Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind, esteem each other better than yourself," for the Lord "hath respect to the lowly," while he "resists the proud." "Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased," but "with the lowly is wisdom," even that wisdom which is "from above, and is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy; full of the fruits of the Spirit, which are "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith meekness and temperance." Walk then "worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might according to his glorious power, unto all patience, and longsuffering, with joyfulness, giving thanks unto the Father who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light."

Put on therefore as the chosen of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if any have a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you; and above all, put on love, which is the bond of perfection. "Let all bitterness and wrath, and anger and clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake forgave you." Should ye be angry, sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath, nor give place to the devil (New Trans.). "If any be overtaken in a fault ye who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering yourselves lest ye also be tempted; bear one another's burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ." Those who are strong (to resist temptation) ought to bear (with) the infirmities of the weak; and not seek to please themselves, but seek to edify or build up the weak brother or sister. For even Christ (the divine pattern) pleased not himself. "Whatsoever ye would that others should do to you, do ye even so to them." And to sum up all; "Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that hath called you who also will perform. M.