As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
- Ephesians 4:1
 
A long time ago, Paul wrote the most beautiful, powerful and clear reflection on the accomplishment of Jesus Christ on the cross and in the resurrection. He helped his readers understand how to live together in light of the new reality in the gospel. And he wrote this letter from jail.
 
Paul put his life on the line for his beliefs. He willingly suffered and eventually died for those beliefs. When he talks about unity, he does this from a place of deep conviction.
 
In this week’s Connect Devotionals we’re going to be reflecting on the first several verses of Ephesians 4. This past summer we went on a Road Trip through the first half of this letter (Ephesians 1-3). We looked at God’s plan and his presence. We listened to Paul praying. We explored the good news of Jesus in all its beauty, reconciliation, community-making, and love.
 
At this point in Paul’s letter, in today’s passage, Paul begins (in a new way) to guide our lived response to the gospel. He challenges us to live in a new and radical unity with each other. And that unity has its deep roots in the work that God has already done on our behalf.
 
God has created us, confronted us with our brokenness, and called us to live a new life with him. On this stable foundation, we work with all the strength we can muster or borrow to align our lives with the Lord. Lives full of love, grace, and truth. Worthy lives.
 
How we live matters. It doesn’t matter because we have to earn something or prove something. It matters because we’re part of something. We’ve been invited, summoned, called into the life and mission and kingdom of God.
 
Here’s a challenge today. Are you ready? Before we can talk about unity and the worthy life we’re called to live, we need to soak in the great work God’s already done. Your challenge is to take 5 minutes and read Ephesians 1-3.
 
Click this link to accept the challenge