(1 John 2:6) "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."

If you’re going to talk the talk, you gotta walk the walk. Christians should be, "Walking In Step With The Savior." With a great deal of passion ("beseech” a passionate plea) Paul challenges the believer to walk worthy. By the way, Paul had such a passion because he desired for his spiritual children to be all that they ought to be. Paul's passion is the passion that any pastor should have. In Colossians 1:28 Paul said that he preached Christ, "...warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ." With that passion we are challenged to walk worthy. What is the challenge of the "worthy walk?" First of all, the challenge of the worthy walk is....

I.          TO LIVE CONSISTENTLY FOR CHRIST (VV.1-3 

            A.        The Call To Living Consistently (v.1)

There are two terms in verse one that we need to grasp if we are to understand what is being said here.

·        The word "vocation".  We use that word today to refer to ones occupation or career.  The word "vocation" in this verse is only translated "VOCATION" here. In all other places it is translated as "calling." The calling that Paul had in mind was for believers to follow Jesus, the believers calling to salvation. Paul spent three chapters covering the Christians Wealth (their salvation in Christ) and here in chapter 4 he begins talking about the Christians Walk. So Paul's admonition is for the believer to walk worthy of our calling to Christ. The second term we need to understand is

·        The word, "worthy." That word could be translated...worthy of. Our lives as Christians are to be worthy of the gospel and our calling to salvation.

The word also means to have an equal weight (balancing something in a scale). When our lives are matched up against the message we say we have anchored our lives to there should be a consistency between the two. (Illus: The story is told that several years ago the King of England's two sons were playing in Hyde Park. The Prince of Wales said to the Duke of York, "I bet you a shilling that all fat policemen have bald heads." The problem with claiming to be the Prince of Wales when you go around knocking off policemen's helmets is that nobody believes you. What's the point? A noble status demands a consistent life!) Dr. John MacArthur in his book..."Walk Worthy", raises a very important question. He asked, "Suppose that immediately after you were saved, the Lord stamped your forehead with the words, "Watch me, I'm a child of God. What would that do to your lifestyle?" The fact is, the world is watching. Do they see us walking worthy of Christ? Paul's point is that you have answered the call to salvation so walk like you are saved.  Make sure your daily living is consistent with your calling.

         B.                 The Characteristics Of Consistent Living (vv.2-3)

When our walk is characterized by these things, it will give credibility to our testimonies. Notice we are to walk in...

·        Lowliness - we walk in humility not in pride

·        Meekness - walk in submission not in rebellion

·        Longsuffering - walk with a determination to finish, not an inclination to quit. (esp. in difficult circumstances)

·        Forbearance  (v.2b-3) - a walk of tolerance not impatience with others

When we live this way notice the results (vv.4-6) the challenge of the worthy walk is the challenge to live consistently for Christ, and it is....

II.         TO LIVE DISTINCTIVELY FOR CHRIST (VV.17-24)

The Christian lives distinctively for two reasons. They have...

            A.        A New Mindset (vv.17-23)

            B.         A New Nature (v.24)

Because of those two factors, the worthy walk demands that we...

·        Put Away Lying (v. 25) (Illus: Time magazine reported that 22% of the resumes given to potential employers have outright lies in them.) Sadly this is a commentary of the fact that in our day and time, dishonesty is a way of life. But lying is never to be a way of life for the believer.

·        Anger (v. 26-27)

·        Stealing (v. 25)

·        Corrupt Speech (v. 29)

·        A Bitter Disposition (v. 30 - 32)

Conclusion:       The Worthy Walk is a Consistent, Distinctive Walk. In verse 1 Paul identifies himself as "a prisoner of the Lord."  That tells us that there is a price involved in the Worthy Walk. Are you willing to pay the price?  Jesus paid a price for you. If you are going to talk the talk, then walk the walk!