“I therefore, the prisoner of (or lit. “in”) the Lord – beseech you – that ye walk worthy of the vocation – wherewith ye were called” [Eph.4:1].
“Be ye therefore followers of God – as dear children (see: Mt.13:36-38) – (2) and walk in love – according as Christ also hath loved us – and hath given Himself for us – an offering – and a sacrifice to God – for (or lit. “into being”) a sweet smelling savour.” [Eph.5:1-2] (see also: Rom.12:1-2).
“Forasmuch, then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh (i.e. in His flesh) – arm yourselves likewise – with the same mind (or, with the same way of thinking as our Lord Jesus Christ) – for He that hath suffered in the flesh – hath ceased from sin. (see: Rom.8:1-4) (2) That he no longer should live the rest of his time – in flesh – to men’s lusts – but to God’s Will! (see: Mt.7:21) (3) For the time past – of our life – may suffice us – to have wrought (or, “to have fully worked out”) the will of the Gentiles (or, more lit. “nations of unbelievers”) when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revelings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries.”
It is a common practice — at this particular time of year – in its very beginning – that we are traditionally inclined to make new and better resolutions as far as our personal lives are concerned. Our Lord through the Apostle Paul does the same for everyone whom our Lord – through Paul’s personal testimony and witness – drew unto Him in their reconciliation and regeneration.
And, in regards to the Christian walk – of “the new man” (see: Eph.4:20-24) — what better resolution could we make than a resolution to be – more closely — a follower of God the Son – through this fallen-in-sin world? In addition to the worthy work of evangelizing the world around him – Paul also diligently sought to exhort his awakened and quickened bothers and sisters – to “walk worthy of the vocation” (or, the “calling”) wherewith ye were called” unto eternal salvation! And, what better encouragement can there be – but to exhort to obey the command to be the genuine “followers of God” as His dear children – as we walk through this world?! We should be earnestly praying that God the Holy Spirit – cause us to exude precisely — what the context of Eph.5:2 is describing! That we “walk in love according as Christ also hath loved us – hath given Himself for us – an offering and a sacrifice to God – (lit.) into becoming an odour of a sweet smell.” And this He did – all for us! Praise His Holy Name!!
We should not be surprised to behold Peter’s encouragement unto us in the same way! He wrote that Christ Jesus suffered for us – on our behalf — and that we should therefore exude the same way of thinking that He, Himself, was led by God, His Father, to do! He walked through this world entirely mindful of the fact that He was following His Father’s Will and agenda – in everything that He thought – everything He said and everything that He did! We also – in our walk through this world – as having been truly awakened and quickened – by His Holy Spirit! We, too, are following Him – having been chosen and placed in Him – before the foundation of this very world – to follow in His very steps – in His Holy and perfect obedience! Praise His Holy and Precious Name! Peter also reminds us from 1Pe.2:21> “For even hereunto were ye called – because Christ also suffered for us – leaving us an example – that ye should follow His steps” (see also: vs.22-25).
We will be looking a bit more closely to the spiritual reality that emerges for us – not only to understand – but also to come to emulate – all to the glory only of Christ our wonderful Savior! — John Carpenter